Crackdown on protests as political lobbying flourishes

Governments are increasingly encroaching on the right to protest, the Australia Institute says. (Flavio Brancaleone/AAP PHOTOS)

Environmental protests are becoming increasingly criminalised in Australia as under-regulated corporate lobbying thrives, a think tank calling for laws to protect peaceful dissent says.

Five states have introduced anti-protest laws in recent years, with activists who take part in blockades to protect native forests or stop fossil fuel projects potentially facing fines or prison terms, the Australia Institute said.