NSW: Police, govt to discuss protest legislation
SYDNEY, April 30 AAP - Senior NSW Police today said legislation would be reviewed aftereight anti-war protesters were each fined $440 over a protest that delayed HMAS Sydney'sdeparture to the Persian Gulf.
Deputy police commissioner Andrew Scipione said he would meet with Police MinisterJohn Watkins today to discuss the legislation covering public protests on water.
"Clearly the penalty handed down today, being the maximum, was not adequate," Mr Scipionetold reporters.
" ... it just clearly proves we need to have another look at the legislation."
Downing Centre Local Court Magistrate Ross Pogson today imposed the maximum penaltyon the eight Greenpeace activists but said it was inadequate punishment.
On April 9, the anti-war activists scaled the sides of HMAS Sydney and unfurled a no-warbanner in a high profile protest that brought the frigate to a halt in Sydney Harbour.
Two of the protesters evaded authorities, attaching themselves to the hull of the warshipbefore being cut free.
Mr Scipione said he did not think today's outcome truly reflected the sheer stupidityof the protesters.
"The NSW Police Force are clearly in the business of facilitating peaceful, lawfulmarches, but we won't tolerate sheer acts of stupidity that put not only the lives ofdemonstrators at risk but also the police and the community," he said.
"There are far greater outcomes if you have a radar detector in your vehicle than thereis based on what we saw handed down today."
Mr Scipione said he was not at liberty to comment on what recommendations would bemade to government.
AAP jo/nf/cjh/bwl
KEYWORD: IRAQ FRIGATE POLICE
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