200AADirections in relation to places of worship

200AA Directions in relation to places of worship

200AA Directions in relation to places of worship

A police officer is not precluded from giving a direction under this part in relation to a demonstration, protest, procession or assembly if—

(a) the demonstration, protest, procession or assembly—

(i) is occurring in or near a place of worship, within the meaning of the Crimes Act 1900, section 214B(4), and

(ii) involves persons doing any of the following—

(A) intentionally blocking, impeding or hindering a person accessing or leaving, or attempting to access or leave, the place of worship,

(B) harassing, intimidating or threatening a person accessing or leaving, or attempting to access or leave, the place of worship, and

(b) the demonstration, protest, procession or assembly—

(i) is not an authorised public assembly for the purposes of the Summary Offences Act 1988, Part 4, or

(ii) is not being held substantially in accordance with an authorisation under that part, and

(c) if the demonstration, protest, procession or assembly is occurring in, or on the premises of, a place of worship—the demonstration, protest, procession or assembly is not in accordance with the consent or authority of the person apparently in charge of the place of worship, and

(d) the demonstration, protest, procession or assembly is not occurring at or outside Parliament House or an office of a member of Parliament, and

(e) the demonstration, protest, procession or assembly does not form part of industrial action or an industrial dispute or campaign, and

(f) the direction is given only to the persons who are—

(i) intentionally blocking, impeding or hindering a person accessing or leaving, or attempting to access or leave, the place of worship, or

(ii) harassing, intimidating or threatening a person accessing or leaving, or attempting to access or leave, the place of worship.

s 200AA: Ins 2025 No 84, Sch 1[3].