Students and activists attended the rally to protest against Labor's expansion of fossil fuels and continued support for anti-protest laws.

The changes would increase fines for protesting by over 6000%, and introduce the possibility of protestors being imprisoned for peaceful dissent.

Magistrate Clare Farnan said that it was Kuehlman’s “democratic right” to attend protests while charges against her are being resolved.

'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”.