NSW premier Chris Minns says protest restrictions are expected during an upcoming visit by Israeli president Isaac Herzog as police weigh extending CBD bans.
NSW premier Chris Minns says protest restrictions are likely to be imposed during a visit by Israeli president Isaac Herzog next week, as police consider extending limits on public assemblies in Sydney’s CBD.
NSW police are meeting to decide whether to prolong a declaration that effectively bans marches through central Sydney, potentially affecting planned pro-Palestine rallies during Herzog’s visit between 8 and 12 February.
Last month, police narrowed the declaration to allow Invasion Day rallies to proceed, though the restricted zone could be expanded again for the visit.
The Palestine Action Group has announced a rally at Sydney’s Town Hall as part of a national day of protest on Monday. Town Hall currently falls within the restricted area, and it remains unclear whether organisers intend to march.
The group is part of a constitutional challenge to legislation rushed through parliament following the Bondi attack, which grants the police commissioner Mal Lanyon the power to prevent authorisation of public assemblies for up to 90 days after a terrorist attack.
Minns said he had held multiple meetings with police regarding the visit but denied seeking to influence the decision.
“There’s a need to protect both the president as an invited guest to Australia and also regular Australians as they go about their jobs and their lives in Sydney,” he said.
He added that while the determination would be made independently by police, “you can expect restrictions to be in place”.