In September, the federal government passed a law aimed at what was charactersied as "farm invasions" by activists targetting abattoirs and farms. Meanwhile, the Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, Victorian and Tasmanian state governments are all considering legislation aimed at curbing protest activity – by  animal and climate change activists. Reema Rattan talks to Professor of Criminal Law Jeremy Gans about whether protests, which are protected under the Constitution as the freedom of political communication, are under threat in Australia.