Peaceful protests and free speech could fall foul of a proposed post and boast law designed to crack down on the glorification of illegal activity on social media, activists say.
The West Australian legislation aims to make social media posts that boost an offender’s notoriety or humiliate victims a criminal act, but opponents say it is a risk to democracy and want the bill amended.
Greens leader Brad Pettitt. Credit: Hamish Hastie
“It’s a deeply worrying bill that could have an absolutely stifling and chilling effect on public expression and peaceful protest in this state,” WA Greens leader Brad Pettitt told reporters on Monday.
“The government says they’re not planning on targeting protests and peaceful protests ... but the way the legislation is written, it absolutely does.
“We