A court has rejected strict police bail conditions imposed on a former Greens senator
Scott Ludlam had been ordered not to go within 2.5 kilometres of Sydney Town Hall or attend further Extinction Rebellion protests after police raised concerns he would "endanger the safety of victims, individuals and the community".
But deputy chief magistrate Jane Mottley on Thursday threw out the restrictions saying the concerns "can be appropriately addressed by unconditional bail".
An activist from Extinction Rebellion dangles from the Story Bridge in a hammock as part of protests in Brisbane, Tuesday, October 8, 2019. Source: AAP
Unconditional bail only requires an accused person to be of good behaviour.
Greg James QC, representing Mr Ludlam, told Downing Centre Local Court the conditions put forward by police were an attempt "to stifle legitimate political protest".
Outside court, NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge said the bail conditions had been "unlawful" and called on police to drop similar conditions on some 30 other protesters charged over Monday's protests.
Police arrest an activist during Extinction Rebellion demonstrations on Whitehall in London, England. Source: Getty Images Europe
"Do we really need to come back to court another 30 times?" he told reporters.
