16 Sep 2024

Tougher tweaks to gang patch law will suppress free speech - lawyer

From Checkpoint, 4:25 pm on 16 September 2024

A human rights lawyer believes tougher tweaks to the government's gang patch law are over reach and will suppress free speech. Amendments to the proposed patch prohibition will give police far-reaching powers to arrest people for keeping insignia in their own home. The bill has its third reading this week. The changes would mean someone who has two convictions for displaying a gang patch could be jailed if they are then found with gang insignia in their private home or anything with gang markings on it. Human Rights barrister from Rubicon Chambers, Michael Bott spoke to Lisa Owen.