Shrinking our political space

The fear and concern generated by heightened levels of surveillance, police scrutiny, and the threat of criminal charges may also alter activist behaviour and organising approaches.

More groups may choose to work clandestinely rather than in open organising structures and the possibility of open, nonviolent resistance is lessened.

In this way, the impact of the counter-terror laws may go beyond their legal powers and actually reduce our political space available in Australia.