An anti-transgender rights group whose Melbourne event attracted neo-Nazis has the green light to continue with a rally in Hobart despite "deep concerns" about it being given a platform.
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Anti-transgender activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull from Let Women Speak is set to speak outside Tasmania's parliament house on Tuesday.
The group's Melbourne event on Saturday was attended by about 30 men clad in black who repeatedly performed the Nazi salute and held signs calling transgender people offensive names.
It resulted in violent clashes with hundreds of counter-protesters and arrests.
Equality Tasmania, an advocacy group for the LGBTIQ+ community, says Ms Keen-Minshull's visit is deeply concerning.
The organisation has planned a simultaneous vigil outside parliament house on Tuesday.
"Parliament house, the home of Tasmanian democracy, should not be giving a platform to speakers who attract Nazi sympathisers," Equality Tasmania representative Rose Boccalatte said.
"While we strongly support free speech, that freedom comes with a responsibility not to harm others."
The state Greens wrote to the Speaker of the lower house and president of the Legislative Council calling for Let Women Speak to be prevented from using the parliament house lawns.
Speaker of the lower house Mark Shelton and Legislative Council President Craig Farrell knocked back the request.
They released a statement saying the lawns "have always been a gathering place for democratic activity including protests of all persuasions".
"While there may at times be opposing views to the protests occurring, censoring free speech is not in the interest of a democratic society," they said.
"All protests are expected to be conducted peacefully and lawfully."
State Liberal government minister Guy Barnett said permission to use the lawns was a matter for Mr Shelton and Mr Farrell.
"From my point of view and on behalf of the government, we believe there should be free speech but that should be respectful and that's what is very important," Mr Barnett said.
"People need to be able to share their views with respect to one another and those who are listening, those who are in the vicinity."
State Greens leader Cassy O'Connor said the event posed a significant risk of harm.
"This group stood shoulder-to-shoulder in solidarity with Nazis in Melbourne," she said.
"They share an ideology of demonising a minority - transgender people.
"Parliament's lawns are a place of peace, inclusion and democracy. They are no place for Nazis."
State parliament is expected to this week begin debating legislation that would ban the public display of Nazi symbols.
Equality Tasmania has called on the state government to go one step further and ban Nazi salutes.
Australian Associated Press
