'The police and the courts are using jail as a deterrent to peaceful protests and this has to stop.'

This is the first case where a protester has been convicted under the Roads Amendment (Major Bridges and Tunnels) Regulation which carries harsher penalties for 'illegal protests'

“Let’s call a spade a spade, this bill is a further attempt to protect the interests of climate criminals and big business, while intimidating and muzzling activists," said NUS Education Officer Luc Velez.

Described as “anti-protest laws” by Leong in a speech set to be delivered in parliament tonight, Leong will argue that it is a bill which seeks “to criminalise the behaviour of the people who are trying to save us”.