TASMANIA’S tough new anti-protest laws officially kick in tomorrow, prompting a warning to “mum and dad” protesters planning action over school budget cuts.

Mandatory penalties no longer apply but the legislation includes a maximum penalty of four years’ jail.

The laws aim to crack down on radical protests that disrupt workplaces, especially in the forestry and mining sectors.

But while environmentalists say they are not planning any major protests during the coming months, parents and public school supporters are drawing up plans for a summer of action, as cuts to next year’s teaching hours and programs are finalised.

Law Society of Tasmania president Matthew Verney said his group’s primary concern was that the laws were so broad, they would apply to “mum and dad” protesters.

Mr Verney said it was possible the Taste could be classed as a business, given there were many businesses operating at the event.

“The Resources Minister will say it’s not meant to apply to them, but that doesn’t mean the Act won’t apply to them,’’ he said.

“I suspect it might.

“Mums and dads out there who are thinking of protesting need to be aware of that.

“We will wait to see if the laws are actually used, but that’s not to say we are not still concerned about them.”

South Hobart Primary School parent Teresa O’Leary has written to Premier Will Hodgman outlining plans to conduct protests during the school holidays, including action at the Taste.

Ms O’Leary said some parents had expressed concern they would be breaking the new laws.

But she said that she was confident the protests would be lawful.

“We’ve had a few discussions about that because people are worried,’’ Ms O’Leary said.

“But we’ve chosen a site at the Taste that shouldn’t be controversial.

“We want coverage but we don’t want to be a nuisance.

“If the police come along and tell us to move, we’ll move and find somewhere else.

“If we get arrested, we will certainly get a lot of publicity.”

Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff said in a statement that tomorrow would be a historic day “protecting Tasmanian workers from radical protesters”.

“From Wednesday, the law will be clear — everyone is entitled to have a say, but people can’t stop others from earning a living in the process,” Mr Rockliff said.

“The Liberal Government will stand up for jobs and ­investment.”