Kennett attacks the right to protest — again

By Jolyon Campbell and Jeremy Smith MELBOURNE — In the last three weeks Victorian premier, Jeff Kennett, has upped the ante against the Save Albert Park (SAP) campaign. On October 23, in a wild outburst, Kennett accused the protest group, its coordinator Jenni Chandler, and the ALP of sabotaging the previous day's "Ride with the Stars" cycling event by sprinkling tacks over the race course. The race was conducted as part of the government's "people's day" at Albert Park, an event designed to sell the Grand Prix development to the public. Police commented afterwards that they had "no evidence as to who was responsible". Chandler denied SAP involvement and demanded an apology. None forthcoming, Kennett is now facing a writ for defamation from the campaign's coordinator. The public response to Kennett's accusation can be measured by the influx of letters to the Age on October 24, only one expressing sympathy with Kennett's tirade. Subsequent legal action by the government indicates the real target of government attacks. In legislation clearly directed at SAP, the Australian Grand Prix (Further Amendments) Bill increases the powers of the Grand Prix Corporation to restrict access to the park. Prior to this round of amendments, the Act specified such powers for one week of the year only. The new legislation enables representatives of the Grand Prix Corporation to limit public access to the park for up to 17 weeks of the year. The legislation was last amended in June in response to the dismissal of charges against more than 100 protesters charged with trespass. These amendments empowered the corporation to retrospectively criminalise the involvement of protesters in park actions. The Further Amendments Act coupled with the June amendments represent the clearest legal challenge yet to SAP's long campaign, and to the right to protest in Victoria. Commenting on the legislation, Chandler told Green Left Weekly, "Kennett's outburst seemed motivated by a desire to legitimise further reprehensible legislation. The government can now close off the park, not for a four day event, but for 17 weeks of prime park time. The Act will be a further assault on democratic rights. It's time that every Victorian became much more vigilant because this legislation is not an isolated case." SAP will be organising protest actions against the legislation over the coming weeks. For details phone 9690 3855.