No deal has been done with World Youth Day organisers to give police additional powers when Sydney hosts the event later this month, NSW Premier Morris Iemma says.

The additional search powers given to police during the event were consistent with those granted whenever the city held a big event, Mr Iemma said today.

AUDIO: Police powers for World Youth Day

IN DEPTH: World Youth Day
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"There are no stand-alone powers that have been introduced to do a deal with World Youth Day," he told reporters.

"There are normal powers that are at the disposal for police on search and the powers for the police to maintain order.

"People have the right to protest, they can do so, they can do so peacefully and lawfully."

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said police and volunteers from the State Emergency Service and Rural Fire Service "will be able to direct people to cease engaging in conduct that "causes annoyance or inconvenience to participants in a World Youth Day event".

"If anyone is arrested under the new powers they face fines of $5,500," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Sale of knives to minors attracts the same penalty, while someone exposing themselves could be fined $1,100.

"So if someone flashes a WYD participant they will face a $1,100 penalty but if they wear an anti catholic t-shirt they could face a $5,500 penalty," Ms Rhiannon said.

Critics of the laws say the new regulations, which operate until the end of July, have the potential to make a crime wearing a T-shirt with a message on it, undertaking a Chaser-style stunt, handing out condoms at protests, riding a skateboard or even playing music.

NSW Bar condemns laws

NSW Bar Association president Anna Katzmann SC said the new regulations were a direct affront to freedom of speech and existing laws governing large events are adequate.

"It is difficult to understand the need for, let alone the wisdom of such a law," she said in a statement today.

"Who required this? Why are the existing laws good enough to regulate conduct at, say, the Mardi Gras parade or the Rugby World Cup, but not on this occasion?"

The new powers were vague and did not even requite the conduct to be disorderly or insulting, she said.

"If I were to wear a T-shirt proclaiming that 'World Youth Day is a waste of public money' and refuse to remove it when an officer of the Rural Fire Service asks me to, I would commit a criminal offence," Ms Katzmann said.

More than 40 city locations are encompassed by the regulations, including Darling Harbour, the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and Randwick Racecourse, Fairfax reported today.

More than 500 schools across Sydney and 35 train and bus stations have also been listed as "declared areas", with people entering them subject to vehicle and baggage searches that require them to remove jackets, gloves, shoes and headwear if requested.

World Youth Day spokeswoman Kristina Keneally has said she believes the powers are "a sensible safety precaution which any young person who is going to a major event in Australia would expect".