Growing legal bill for failed defence of controversial NSW protest laws runs to hundreds of thousands of dollars

The New South Wales government has racked up a substantial legal bill, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, in a failed attempt to defend controversial protest laws challenged on constitutional grounds. A single legal battle over these laws, passed hastily following a Bondi attack, alone cost $117,455.50. This expenditure highlights ongoing tensions over freedom of assembly and the government's commitment to controversial legislation, raising questions about the cost and effectiveness of defending such laws in court.