¨…The plaintiffs have achieved the object of the proceedings…
and will be free to continue their protest without the limitations
that had been imposed upon them earlier by the certificates.
No further relief is required. ” Said Justice Crispin.
Falun Gong members are suing Mr Downer, saying certificates he issued banning their protests outside the Chinese Embassy were invalid.
On Tuesday 8 August, erected mass banners will be included in the ongoing protest by Falun Gong practitioners outside the Chinese Embassy in Canberra for the first time in four years – a peaceful act that Foreign Minister Alexander Downer had prohibited from March 2002 until March 2006.
Mr Collaery told reporters this was a sensible decision and inevitable because of the impact on freedom of expression. He said Mr Downer was apparently reluctant to justify his statements that noise and music from demonstrators was impeding the work of Chinese diplomats and offending the dignity of the mission.
