Victorians' right to go about their daily lives free from harassment, obstruction and intimidation will be restored under a new policy announced today by the Liberals and Nationals.
We will introduce a protest registration system, modelled on New South Wales, which balances the right to peaceful protest with the right of others to live, work and worship safely.
The plan places Victoria Police - not local councils - in charge of protest registrations, enabling them to properly assess risks, recommend adjustments, and allocate resources to keep the public safe.
Protests that are registered with police, and carried out in line with agreed conditions, will benefit from legal protections for participants against charges such as obstruction.
However, those who choose not to register and proceed in ways that disrupt public order or endanger others will face strengthened enforcement powers. This includes on-the-spot move-on orders and, for repeat offenders who defy court-issued exclusion orders, penalties of up to two years in jail and significant fines.
Opposition Leader, Brad Battin, said the policy responds to growing public frustration with highly disruptive protests that have endangered safety, drained police resources and left many in the community feeling unsafe.
"Victorians have had enough of disruption and intimidation on their streets. We've seen climate activists blocking roads at peak hour, regular protests shutting down the CBD, and deeply concerning anti-Semitic demonstrations and attacks outside synagogues and businesses - all while Labor has done nothing," Mr Battin said.
"This is a fair and practical policy that protects the right to protest while ensuring the rights of others to go about their lives are respected. It's about restoring balance, keeping people safe and supporting Victoria Police to do their job properly," said Mr Battin.
"Jacinta Allan's choices have left our communities exposed and our police stretched thin. Only the Liberals and Nationals have real solutions so every Victorian can feel safe, respected, and free. We will restore order and protect Victorians' right to go about their lives."
Shadow Police Minister David Southwick said the policy would give police the tools they have been asking for to manage protests effectively.
"Labor has ignored Victoria Police and allowed our streets to be hijacked by those who think the rules don't apply to them," Mr Southwick said.
"Our plan gives police the ability to work with organisers in advance, plan properly, and take strong action when protests become dangerous or unlawful. If you protest peacefully and work with police, you will be protected. But if you choose to obstruct, threaten or ignore lawful directions, you will face serious consequences."
"Victorians are rightly sick and tired of professional activists throwing their lives into chaos and not being held accountable for their shocking behaviour."
The policy keeps registration voluntary - consistent with Victoria's human rights laws - and makes clear that unregistered protests which disrupt public order or breach directions will face the full force of strengthened enforcement powers.
Victoria remains the only state without a state-wide protest registration or permit system, despite repeated calls from Victoria Police and business groups to introduce one.
