Government dismisses opposition to protest laws

Diverse opponents of a WA Gov-ernment law to clamp down on protests got short shrift from Attorney-General Michael Mischin yesterday, who said much criticism of the Bill was a "beat-up".

It came as Police Minister Liza Harvey told Parliament the laws were being pursued in response to protesters locking on to machinery at James Price Point and the Premier's Claremont home.

The laws would create criminal offences punishable by up to two years jail or a $24,000 fine for "physically preventing lawful activity" or possessing any "thing" police suspect was intended to be used for that offence.

They do not mention locking devices, which the Government says it targeted, prompting opponents to claim peaceful sit-ins and marches could be included.

Opponents from the WA Law Society, WAFarmers, Baptist Care, Unions WA, the Conservation Council and No Shark Cull were supported by Labor leader Mark McGowan, who promised to repeal the Bill if elected.

Mr Mischin confirmed farmers locking a gate to protest about fracking could be charged.

There was also an Aboriginal protest outside Parliament yesterday against a $1.3 billion native title deal.