NSW Police have extended its restrictions on protests in Sydney for another two weeks. However, it will be opening up sections of Sydney’s CBD, allowing Invasion Day protests to take place on January 26.
On Tuesday afternoon, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed he will be extending the ban on protests for another fortnight.
While the Public Assembly Restriction Declaration (PARD) — which has been in place since December 24 in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attacks — is set to continue, Lanyon assures that the extension is not like the others as he’s “significantly limited its scope”, ABC News reports.
The initial ban covered the North West Metropolitan, South West Metropolitan and Central Metropolitan policing areas. However, in this extension, newly excluded areas will include Darling Harbour, the north of the CBD to Oxford Street, and all of the eastern suburbs north of Clovelly.
Therefore, Hyde Park, Belmore Park and Victoria Park will not be included in the exclusion areas, allowing for Invasion Day protests to pass through on Monday.
“This is about getting the balance right,” Lanyon said.
“This is about ensuring that we are enabling people to protest, enabling free speech, but make sure that the community remains safe.”
Per The Guardian, an anti-immigration march, organised by March for Australia, will also take place on Monday outside the exclusion area.
“We have significant and ongoing discussions with all protest organisers,” Lanyon said.
Police were granted powers to restrict public protests and marches in December 2025 in legislation rushed through the NSW Government following the Bondi terror attack, in which 15 people were killed and dozens more were injured.
“It’s about getting the balance right between community safety and a right to protest,” Lanyon said after he was asked why Hyde Park had been excluded from the restrictions.
“I reinforce this is a time for calm. It’s a time for peace. It’s a time for the community to come together. We are still less than six weeks from the most serious and devastating terrorism act ever [committed] in New South Wales.”
The powers to restrict protests have been criticised, with Palestine Action Group organiser Josh Lees calling the anti-protest laws “undemocratic” that wrongly linked the Bondi terror attack to pro-Palestine rallies.
However, at the time, NSW Premier Chris Minns framed the reforms as “extraordinary changes” that were made necessary after the attack.
Per NSW Police, individuals who participate in a public assembly during the restrictions at the specified locations will not be protected by the Summary Offences Act with respect to obstructing traffic and pedestrians.
Gatherings are permitted. However, authorities will be able to issue move-on directions for people they believe are causing obstructions, or behaving in an intimidating manner, or people who might cause or be likely to cause fear in another person.
Police will also have the power to ask participants to remove face coverings for identification purposes or if they suspect the person is committing an offence.
The extension will remain in place for another two weeks, unless it is amended or revoked.
Image source: Getty Images.
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