Protests spoil residents’ weekends. Where to draw the line?

Residents expect many disruptions when living in the CBD but sometimes there is a need to call on our civic leaders and legislators to find ways to restore the balance.

On July 4, CBD residents met for our monthly Forum 3000 to discuss “city disruptions”.  

Speakers talked about how construction caused noise and blocked streets, as well as graffiti and sticker removal, people problems due to drugs and/or alcohol consumption, traffic control and similar. But residents are used to these normal disruptions. It is part of city life.  

What residents wanted to hear was “what to do about the weekend protests?” 

These protests have been going on for more than 40 weeks. Here are some of the problems they cause:

Trams and traffic are stopped.

• Residents cannot leave or return to their homes due to blocked roads.
• Reports of aggressive behaviour when a resident removed a sticker from a shop front window.
• Traders having to shut their businesses in the middle of Sunday due to the protests.
• Residents cannot enjoy a lazy Sunday at home without protesters screaming slogans, drums banging and amplified slogans.

Residents understand that protesters want to have their voice heard. But, please, does it have to be so loud!

Police who were at the Forum 3000 confirmed that there is a huge cost to the community to fund the large contingent of police needed to ensure that the protest does not descend into melee. They talk to the organisers about being aware of the impact to others but feel that their pleas as simply ignored. Police have no powers to enforce the reduction of loud noise. It is a case of the protesters dictating behaviour.

What is happening in our CBD is not Australian. Where is the “Fair Go”? Is it time for ordinary citizens to say to our civic leaders, it is time to draw the line? Now is the time for action.

It is wonderful that we live in a democracy where people can organise a rally, to put forward their view on a particular issue. It is a fallacy to assume that a community will listen to that point of view if the protesters are militant, loud, and behave in a manner that is disruptive for the surrounding community.

Where is the “fine line”? Megaphones, screaming, drums beating, blocking roads, posting slogans on public buildings are currently the norm. Surely such actions are not acceptable in our society that we have worked so hard to nurture. Our democracy and way of life is a precious thing that has not be won easily.  

Where are the laws and the actions that can be taken to arrest those that are “disturbing the peace, in an aggressive manner”?

Victoria is the only state in Australia that does not require a permit to stage a protest.  The implication is that a permit will encourage responsible protesting. However, one can argue that the act of denying a permit is infringing a group’s democratic right to protest.

Here are some ideas to address the problem.

• Ask the rally organisers to pay an appropriate bond for the permit, which is refunded after the event, provided no misbehaviour fines have been levied. The permit should not be unreasonably withheld to keep with the intention of our democracy. Maybe there should be some flexibility in the size of the bond to cater for under privileged members of society who may still need to protest.
• There needs to be “rules for protesting”. These rules are enforced with fines paid to the local council to help compensate for damage incurred and the cost of policing. The rules would be enforced by police who are normally present controlling the rally. Creating loud noise above a reasonable level. Ask to stop. If not, a fine. Posting stickers or otherwise damaging surrounding buildings. Fine. Calling out a message using a megaphone is not allowed. Fine. Blocking a road intersection for more than 10 minutes. Ask to move on. If not, a fine. 
• Suggest protest organisers use Federation Square for their gathering instead of in front of the State Library or Parliament House as both those venues block traffic.

There is inconsistency in city rules for propagating the human voice. Buskers need a permit and are vetted by the council to ensure their act is acceptable to community sensibilities. But protesters can use loud megaphones broadcasting messages that may offend some people, if not many residents. 

One of the speakers told the audience that the Melbourne CBD is the heart of the State of Victoria. If the pulse of city is healthy, then the rest of the State follows. Decisions being made today about lifestyle policies in the city have wide implications elsewhere. Even interstate. 

Let us tackle this problem as a community and make it fair for all.

Next Forum 3000 event

Taking place on August 1 at 6pm at the Kelvin Club, this Forum is entitled “Looking after our Mental Health”.  

There will be speakers Nick Nicolaidis from Kieser, physiotherapists Dr Hugh Leslie from CBD Doctors, Tristan Chooi from Reimagine Psychology and two speakers from the City of Melbourne. For more information: residents3000.com.au.