By Henry Ea -
The NSW Police Commissioner has officially extended the Public Assembly Restriction Declaration (PARD) for another 14 days across major Sydney metropolitan areas, citing a need to maintain community safety and reduce social tension.
On Christmas Eve, following the Bondi terrorist incident, the NSW Government passed a law giving the Police Commissioner the power to stop public protests or gatherings in specific areas temporarily and only after a terrorist incident has been declared.
Under the current extension of the declaration, announced on Tuesday afternoon, the authorisation of protests and large-scale public gatherings in the South West Metropolitan, North West Metropolitan, and Central Metropolitan policing areas has been effectively suspended. This means that police will no longer accept “Form 1” applications for public assemblies, and any previously authorised events are now considered revoked.
Consequently, participants in these unauthorised gatherings during this time lose legal immunity under the Summary Offences Act 1988, potentially facing criminal charges for obstructing traffic or pedestrians. Additionally, police powers have been expanded to include the authority to demand the removal of face coverings for identification and the ability to issue move-on directions to individuals suspected of intimidating or harassing others.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the decision was a proactive measure to prevent further division within the community while investigations and recovery efforts from the Bondi attack continue.
“The extension declaration recognises that further protest activity at this time is likely to heighten tension, generate division in the community and present a risk to community safety,” Lanyon stated.
The Commissioner said police would exercise these temporary powers “responsibly and transparently”.
The extension will be reviewed in late January. Under the current legislation, the PARD can be extended fortnightly for a up to three months.
