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In every protest in WA since 1829, and again on Heirisson Island, police managed to move protesters on. So why do we need these terrible laws? Photo: Steve Holland

Our country is undergoing deep changes that frighten the hell out of me.

I am frightened because two of the very important principles woven into our systems of government and justice are being deliberately degraded.

The presumption of innocence and our government being answerable to the people are both fundamental building blocks of our democracy and they are being undermined from within.

Since the inception of Westminster style democracy both these important principles have stood the test of time but they will be seriously damaged if the Barnett Government's proposed anti protesting laws are passed and enacted.

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In Parliamentary debates so far, much has been said about restricting public protests, and I share those concerns; but that is not the real evil of this proposed law.

The real evil is the reversal of the onus of proof - or to put it another way you can be considered guilty unless you can prove you are innocent.

There is nothing in the proposed law that restricts its application to protests in the South West where they are aimed, so once passed, the laws apply across the state.

The Government says the target is picketing and protesting which are activities that, until now, have been legitimate civil actions that can, and have, changed our society.

More here:
New protest laws a blow to democracy and decency