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The NSW government has invoked special powers related to major events ahead of Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia next week, giving police additional powers to separate and move on crowds across the city.
Premier Chris Minns called for calm at a press conference on Saturday and said it was “really important that there’s no clashes or violence on the streets of Sydney”.
“We can disagree without it resorting to clashes or violence … In fact, that would be devastating for everybody, regardless of your cause,” Minns said.
“We reiterate our call that if you don’t need to be Sydney’s CBD on Monday afternoon, unless it’s absolutely essential, we ask that you not stick around in that area.”
The government said it had declared the visit to be a major event under the state’s Major Events Act.
The legislation may be invoked in a range of cases, including for the management of crowds during the Vivid Sydney festival.
Minns said there would be a “massive policing presence on Monday afternoon” and police would have the power to “move somebody on if they’re acting in a disorderly way during this presidential visit”.
The declaration covering the presidential visit was made by Tourism Minister Stephen Kamper on Friday. The powers extend from Monday to Thursday and cover a “major event area” across Sydney’s CBD and eastern suburbs.
“This is an important visit for our country, and it matters deeply to the Jewish community of NSW as they continue to mourn and recover from the horrific terrorist attack on 14 December,” Minns said in a statement.
“[We] cannot allow a situation where mourners and protesters come into close contact on city streets without strong police presence.”
The area covered by the designation was placed under an additional 14-day protest ban by NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon last week.
Under those arrangements, police may blanket-refuse all applications for protest marches within the area.
Lanyon said he was aware the Palestine Action Group was proposing a rally from Town Hall through the streets of the Sydney CBD, in an area unauthorised for a march. He said police had offered to facilitate a march from Hyde Park north through to the south of Sydney.
“We are very keen to ensure a safe and responsible protest,” he said.
The major event declaration comes as pro-Palestine activists prepare for a nationwide day of protests on Monday against Herzog, who was invited by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to visit Australia after the Bondi terror attack.
The government said the additional powers announced on Saturday would allow “police to put appropriate measures in place to manage crowd safety, maintain separation between different groups, and reduce the risk of confrontation in busy parts of the city”.
“These arrangements are not a ban on protests or marches. People retain the right to express their views lawfully,” the statement said.
“However, the government is clear that we cannot allow a situation where mourners, visitors and protesters are brought into close proximity in a way that risks conflict, violence or public disorder.”
Under the legislation, police may “limit the number of persons who may enter a major event area or any part of a major event area”, prohibit “categories of persons from entering, or limit categories of persons who may enter”, or limit the “number of persons within categories” who may enter the area or any part of it. Specific locations may also be closed.
“Anyone who fails to comply with lawful police directions may face penalties, including fines of up to $5,500 or exclusion from the major event area,” the government said.
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