Greens lament silencing of Falun Gong protest

The ACT Greens say the rights of Falun Gong members to protest has been further diminished by the Federal Government.

Falun Gong protesters outside the Chinese Embassy in Canberra have already been told they cannot erect protest banners at the site.

Greens' MLA Kerry Tucker says they have now been told they are not to attach protest banners or paint slogans on cars either.

Ms Tucker says the protesters are being penalised in bid to maintain good relations with the Chinese Embassy.

"This Government and [Foreign Minister] Alexander Downer are quite prepared to reduce that right to protest in order not to offend a trading partner - this cannot be accepted," she said.