The Western Australia (WA) government is set to introduce new legislation aimed at facilitating social cohesion in response to several recent incidents of unrest. This upcoming legislation will empower police to deny permits for protests that are deemed likely to promote hate based on attributes such as religion, race, disability, gender, sexuality, or ethnicity. The introduction of these laws comes as part of a broader government response to perceived threats and challenges to community harmony during a tumultuous summer across Australia.

WA Premier Roger Cook emphasized that this legislative move is a necessary step following alarming incidents such as the antisemitic terror attack in Bondi last December, where tragic violence resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals during a Jewish holiday celebration. Furthermore, the government has expressed that these laws could serve as a safeguard against potential disruptions, including an alleged attempted terror attack at a Perth Invasion Day protest. The proposed laws have garnered some support for aiming to preserve public safety and social order in a climate of rising tensions.

However, the introduction of such measures has not been without controversy. The Greens party has voiced significant concerns regarding the implications of the new laws, expressing anxiety that empowering police to regulate protests may infringe upon individuals' rights to free expression and peaceful demonstration. As these discussions unfold, the WA government must navigate balancing the imperative of public safety with the fundamental rights of individuals to protest, raising important questions about the future landscape of civil liberties within the state.