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Peter Malinauskas must keep his word and back new laws: Speirs, Teague

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The Hon. Hon David Speirs, Leader of the Opposition (SA), The Hon. Josh Teague, Shadow Attorney-General (SA), Joint Media Release, 30 May 2023

The Opposition is calling on Peter Malinauskas to stick to his word – despite intense internal turmoil in his Labor Party – over new public obstruction laws when the legislation is debated in the Upper House on 30 May 2023.

Peter Malinauskas is under fire from the Left of his party – and multiple unions who helped him win the election – for throwing his support behind new laws that will penalise people who cause community chaos and risk public safety with disruption.

This legislation drafted by the Liberal Party was in response to an Extinction Rebellion protest where a woman abseiled off Morphett Street Bridge on North Terrace, causing traffic gridlock for hours and restricted access to Royal Adelaide Hospital.

The new laws would allow a maximum $50,000 penalty or three months imprisonment instead of the current maximum penalty of $750.

Leader of the Opposition, David Speirs, called on Peter Malinauskas to “show some guts”.

“Peter Malinauskas’ Labor Party are tearing themselves apart over these public obstruction laws and there is concern the Premier will bow down to the unions and those from the Left and soften this legislation,” Mr Speirs said.

“Peter Malinauskas has given welcome support for this legislation and any changes to it would be an embarrassing surrender for a Labor Premier who claims he’s not scared to make the tough decisions.”

Shadow Attorney-General, Josh Teague, said the Liberal Party wholeheartedly supports people’s right to protest.

“The Liberal Party strongly believes in the right to protest, however, recently we have seen obstruction that has caused significant disruption to the everyday lives of South Australians,” Mr Teague said.

“The Liberal Party stands firm – when situations like what we saw with Extinction Rebellion this month where public safety is put at risk the current penalties are simply inadequate and no longer act as a deterrent.”

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