South Australia passes tougher protest laws

After a more than 14-hour debate, the upper house passed the laws, with proposed Greens amendments including a reasonableness test and an expiry date, failing.

An SA Best amendment did pass, ridding the bill of a "reckless intention" clause.

The changes increase maximum fines from $750 to $50,000 along with potential jail time.

They were prompted by three days of action by members of Extinction Rebellion earlier this month, including a woman who abseiled over a city bridge, forcing a main road to be closed for about 90 minutes. 

Activists and lawyers have opposed the controversial laws, criticising the lack of public consultation, unclear rationale for rushing the changes through and increased penalties.