The Allan Labor Government is introducing new laws to tackle dangerous and radical behaviour at protests to keep all Victorians safe.
The Government will tomorrow introduce the Justice Legislation Amendment (Police and Other Matters) Bill 2025, giving Victoria Police stronger powers to crack down on violent, dangerous and hateful protesters and safeguard places of worship.
While people have the right to protest, they must do so peacefully - the moment they become violent or hateful, they should face serious consequences.
The reforms give police the power to unmask individuals who police reasonably believe have committed or intend to commit an offence at a public protest - making it easier to identify offenders. Penalties of more than $1,000 will apply for those who refuse to comply with a direction to remove their mask.
The changes will ensure that masks aren't a free pass to break the law. These reforms, alongside our strong anti-vilification laws, will mean there will be no place to hide if you're stirring up hate on the streets.
Protesters will also be prohibited from using attachment devices to lock on at public protests in a way that endangers the public, first responders and other protesters. Those who do so could face up to a year in prison on top of any other charges that may be laid.
To prevent the spread of violent and hateful ideologies, the new laws will also ban the public display of symbols used by terrorist organisations listed under federal law, such as extremist flags and insignia used by groups.
These reforms have been developed in consultation with key religious, legal and human rights organisations and include clear exemptions for legitimate cultural, religious, artistic, reporting or educational reasons.
The Bill provides stronger protection for people attending religious worship meetings, to protect the right of people to gather and pray, free from fear, harassment and intimidation.
The Bill modernises the existing offence of disturbing religious worship, introduces penalties for assaulting people at religious assemblies and creates new offences for intimidating, harassing or obstructing attendees - with both offences punishable by up to three months' imprisonment.
This builds on powers we have already given Victoria Police, including the ability to direct a person wearing a face covering to leave a 'designated area' if the person refuses to remove the covering when requested to do so.
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
"Everyone has the right to protest peacefully, no one has the right to spread hate or endanger others."
As stated by Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny
"Hate has no place in Victoria - these reforms strengthen our laws to protect people from those who seek to divide or intimidate."
As stated by Minister for Police Anthony Carbines
"If you're coming to protests purely to cause trouble - you will be dealt with under these new laws."
