Our democratic rights are worth fighting for
The Turnbull Government is on the verge of passing draconian new laws that criminalise some forms of peaceful protest and exposing breaches of international law by our government.
And with the Labor Party's support, it could be a done deal as soon as next week.
Can you sign the petition urgently calling for amendments to this dangerous legislation?
And with the Labor Party's support, it could be a done deal as soon as next week.
Can you sign the petition urgently calling for amendments to this dangerous legislation?
Had these laws been in place 15 years ago, the hundreds of thousands of us who took to the streets to protest Australia's involvement in the Iraq war could've faced 20 years behind bars.
Equally terrifying, if these laws pass unamended, it will be a crime to expose instances where the Australian Government has breached international law, threatening journalists and whistleblowers with heavy prison sentences.It would be a devastating blow to our campaigning on issues such as Adani, refugees and dodgy trade deals like the TPP.
If we're to stop these attacks on our most fundamental democratic rights, we need to turn up the pressure fast. Can you add you name to the petition calling on both major parties to amend this dangerous legislation?
Equally terrifying, if these laws pass unamended, it will be a crime to expose instances where the Australian Government has breached international law, threatening journalists and whistleblowers with heavy prison sentences.It would be a devastating blow to our campaigning on issues such as Adani, refugees and dodgy trade deals like the TPP.
If we're to stop these attacks on our most fundamental democratic rights, we need to turn up the pressure fast. Can you add you name to the petition calling on both major parties to amend this dangerous legislation?
There are two parts Espionage and Foreign Interference Bill that threaten GetUp's campaiging, along with press freedom, whistleblower protections and civil liberties:
1. Radical changes to Espionage laws: Investigating or reporting on a subject that could damage Australia's international reputation or harm its economic relations could attract a prison sentence of between 20 years and life. This would include exposing cases where Australia has breached international law. These are the changes that would threaten journalist and whistleblowers.
2. Radical changes to Sabotage laws: 'Damaging' government or business property with an intention to harm Australia's international reputation or economic interests could attract a prison sentence of up to 25 years. However, under the bill, 'damage' includes limiting access to property by people who ordinarily have access. In other words, 'sabotage' could now include peacefully blockading a road to prevent the export of coal or uranium to another country. It could also include peacefully protesting Australia's involvement in an international war.
The bill also changes the legal definition of national security to include country's political and economic relations with another country, and that country's foreign influence.
The only protection is the Attorney General's 'discretion' on whether or not to authorise prosecution. This means the government of the day has the power to use these laws to attack their political opponants. If you want to read more about the impacts the laws will have our our democracy check out these fantastic op-eds from civil society leaders.
You can also read the original version of the legislation and a Parliamentary committee's recommendations here
1. Radical changes to Espionage laws: Investigating or reporting on a subject that could damage Australia's international reputation or harm its economic relations could attract a prison sentence of between 20 years and life. This would include exposing cases where Australia has breached international law. These are the changes that would threaten journalist and whistleblowers.
2. Radical changes to Sabotage laws: 'Damaging' government or business property with an intention to harm Australia's international reputation or economic interests could attract a prison sentence of up to 25 years. However, under the bill, 'damage' includes limiting access to property by people who ordinarily have access. In other words, 'sabotage' could now include peacefully blockading a road to prevent the export of coal or uranium to another country. It could also include peacefully protesting Australia's involvement in an international war.
The bill also changes the legal definition of national security to include country's political and economic relations with another country, and that country's foreign influence.
The only protection is the Attorney General's 'discretion' on whether or not to authorise prosecution. This means the government of the day has the power to use these laws to attack their political opponants. If you want to read more about the impacts the laws will have our our democracy check out these fantastic op-eds from civil society leaders.
You can also read the original version of the legislation and a Parliamentary committee's recommendations here
These laws would directly impact the GetUp movement's ability to make change on most issues that have an international dimension including climate change, refugees, and Trade deals such as the TPP.
Furthermore, the GetUp community relies heavily on the crucial work of investigative journalists and whistleblowers. If transparency and accountability is reduced, our ability to campaign will suffer.
Furthermore, the GetUp community relies heavily on the crucial work of investigative journalists and whistleblowers. If transparency and accountability is reduced, our ability to campaign will suffer.
Any protest that blocks access to buildings run by the Commonwealth or a business. For instance, a protest in an MPs' office, where that protest is intended to bring international attention to a significant criticism of Australia, will be a criminal offence. Or, a protest regarding Australia's conduct during a war, if it blocked access to shops, could qualify as "sabotage" for prejudicing Australia's national security.
Only for one offence. Significant improvement have now been made to one section of the bill that threatened journalists: secrecy provisions. However, the espionage laws remain in place and still threaten journalists who expose subject matter that could damage Australia's international reputation or harm its economic relations.
The punishment for such reporting could be a prison sentence between 20 years and life.
The punishment for such reporting could be a prison sentence between 20 years and life.
DEFEND OUR DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS
To Prime Minister Turnbull, Opposition Leader Shorten, and the honourable members of the House and Senate:
The Espionage and Foreign Interference Bill poses an unacceptable threat to our fundamental democratic rights and criminalises public interest journalism.
We demand you make crucial amendments to fully protect our right to peaceful protest and safeguard the activities of whistleblowers and journalists.
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