Protestors have been arrested while protesting laws which allow more arrest powers for police breaking up protests.

Four people were arrested after a group stormed Victorian Parliament while it was considering the proposed amendments to the Summary Offences Bill, which gave police enhanced abilities to end protests that block buildings, people and traffic, or if participants are suspected of turning violent.

The new laws were passed by the upper house Legislative Council after midnight on Wednesday night.

The changes are expected to have a big effect on two ongoing demonstrations in Melbourne.

Community groups have been interrupting early works ahead of the East West Link project, which those in opposition say will waste unnecessary mounds of money they believe would be better spent on public transport.

The law should also see an end to a protest outside a Melbourne abortion clinic, where anti-abortion campaigners ‘Helpers of God's Precious Infants’ have been harassing staff and patients for decades.

The clinic had been preparing legal action against the City of Melbourne for failing to protect it from the self-described ‘sidewalk counsellors’.

Dr Suzie Allanson, a psychologist at the clinic and therefore an actual counsellor, says the protest only adds more confusion and suffering at the worst possible time for many women.

“It's distressing for patients to be confronted by such physical and psychological harassment,” she told the ABC this week.

“Our staff members have also had to deal with some aggressive behaviour from this group but council seems deaf to our concerns.”

Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Robert Doyle, says the new laws will help.

“I think it is going to take an intervention such as the Premier has initiated through the Move On Laws through the Parliament of Victoria,” he said.

“I welcome the day when those young women at this vulnerable time in their lives, can go about their business without being harassed in this obscene way.”

Victorian Greens MLC Sue Pennicuik has called the bill “an absolute assault on the democratic right of Victorians to protest – whether it be on the streets or on public land – about issues of concern to them.”

Australian human rights commissioner, Tim Wilson, called the new laws “excessive”.