The NSW Supreme Court has ruled amendments to protest laws that centred around places of worship are invalid.

Josh Lees, an organiser from the Palestine Action Group, challenged the validity of the laws that were introduced in February, as part of a suite of changes intended to crack down on hate speech amid a series of antisemitic incidents in Sydney.

But lawyers for Mr Lees argued the changes stretched police powers beyond legitimate bounds.

They said police were empowered to direct protesters to move on or desist if they were near a place of worship, even if there was no basis to believe worshippers felt obstructed, harassed or fearful.

Justice Anna Mitchelmore on Thursday made a declaration that the amendments "impermissibly burdens the implied constitutional freedom of communicati

See Full Page