Content overview: “Protest organisers face $20m insurance demands and council red tape, report finds”. A new report from the Australian Democracy Network and Deakin University's Centre for Law as Protection has found that council bureaucracy is undermining the right to protest in Australia. In one striking case, a regional New South Wales council told an organiser they needed a $20 million public liability insurance policy to hold a rally in a local park. The report highlights how such requirements can effectively price out community groups and individuals from exercising their democratic rights.
It also raises concerns about councils imposing financial penalties for gatherings held without a permit, adding another layer of deterrence. Researchers say the cumulative effect of these administrative hurdles is a chilling impact on public participation and free expression. With protest laws under increasing scrutiny nationwide, the findings add weight to calls for clearer, fairer rules that balance public safety with fundamental freedoms. This listing links straight to the original page, where the content is available in full.