Today, the Victorian Liberals and Nationals called for the Victorian Parliament to be immediately recalled to enact urgent legislative reforms to stop hateful protests, strengthen accountability for government agencies and establish a genuinely bipartisan body to identify and act to stamp out antisemitism.
In response, Premier Jacinta Allan has announced limited reforms that fall well short of what is required and confirm Labor's weakening of anti-vilification laws and their refusal to strengthen Victoria's move-on powers has enabled the insidious growth of antisemitism in Victoria.
Leader of the Opposition, Jess Wilson, said: "These changes are an admission of failure by Premier Allan who has refused to act on growing antisemitism and hate over the past two years.
"Today, my team put forward a clear plan to recall Parliament now and take immediate act to stop hateful protests, stamp out antisemitism in government and educational sectors and pursue genuinely bipartisan reform to keep Jewish Victorians and the broader community safe.
"By refusing to take immediate and decisive action, Premier Allan has failed a test of leadership and is leaving Victorians at unacceptable risk."
Shadow Attorney-General, James Newbury, said: "Sadly, our worst fears have been confirmed. Premier Jacinta Allan has announced that she is unwilling to immediately adopt a zero-tolerance approach to combating hate and antisemitism.
"Whilst Labor has accepted their errors and will now seek to legislate minor changes to their new anti-vilification laws and implement far-too-limited move on powers, these reforms do not go far enough.
"By continuing to turn a blind eye to the escalating threat of radicalisation, vulnerable communities in Victoria will remain exposed."
