❓ Hon Sophie McNeill questions the government's intention to criminalise the slogan "From the river to the sea", referencing recent Queensland arrests. The government assures that the Public Order Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 does not intend to ban slogans.
AnsweredQoN 142Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Queensland arrests—Slogans
142. Hon Sophie McNeill to the parliamentary
secretary representing the Attorney General:
I refer to the arrest and charging of two people in
Queensland last night, a 30-year-old man for simply saying "From the
river to the sea", and an 18-year-old woman for simply wearing a T-shirt
with the same phrase. I note that both could face two years in jail under
Queensland's new laws.
Can the Cook Labor
government confirm that it has no intention of passing similar laws here that would
criminalise this phrase?
142. Hon Sophie McNeill to the parliamentary
secretary representing the Attorney General:
I refer to the arrest and charging of two people in
Queensland last night, a 30-year-old man for simply saying "From the
river to the sea", and an 18-year-old woman for simply wearing a T-shirt
with the same phrase. I note that both could face two years in jail under
Queensland's new laws.
Can the Cook Labor
government confirm that it has no intention of passing similar laws here that would
criminalise this phrase?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for some notice of the question. The answer provided to me is this.
The Cook Labor
government has introduced the Public Order Legislation Amendment Bill 2026,
which is about ensuring community safety while protecting the right to protest.
Banning slogans is not the intention of the bill.
for some notice of the question. The answer provided to me is this.
The Cook Labor
government has introduced the Public Order Legislation Amendment Bill 2026,
which is about ensuring community safety while protecting the right to protest.
Banning slogans is not the intention of the bill.
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