The New South Wales supreme court has struck down a law that had given police expanded powers to prevent protests near places of worship.

Josh Lees, on behalf of the Palestine Action Group, had challenged the law on the basis that it was unconstitutional.

Justice Anna Mitchelmore ruled on Thursday that the police powers impermissibly burdened the freedom of political communication implied in Australia’s constitution.

The challenge came after the NSW government passed in February changes aimed at curbing antisemitism. This included a law which gave police the power to move on protesters who are “in or near” a place of worship.

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It raised fears that the broad powers could see police shut down protests at major sites in Sydney , including Town Hall an

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