We are calling on the Allan Labor Government to urgently recall the Parliament and take decisive action to implement the following priority measures:
Priority 1: Zero tolerance for hate and antisemitism on Victorian streets, including:
- Matching the NSW Labor Government's move to enact a temporary pause on protests while an investigation into a terrorist incident is ongoing;
- Matching the NSW Labor Government's move to expand bans on speech that amounts to incitement such as slogans which exhort listeners to violence;
- Strengthening move-on powers so police can intervene early when behaviour is intimidating, threatening or likely to cause fear, rather than waiting for violence or serious disorder to occur;
- Implementing a protest registration system and resourcing police so that they can stop, move or constrain protests that repeatedly escalate into hate; and
- Funding security at Jewish schools and synagogues as a temporary measure while longer-term safety measures are implemented.
Priority 2: Strengthen accountability for government agencies, universities and publicly-funded organisations to stop the spread of hate, including:
- Ensuring employees of government agencies, adhere to their responsibility to not promulgate hatred or extremism;
- Reviewing and rescinding government grants to any organisation that has engaged in vilification or incitement to violence;
- Adopting the IHRA's working definition of antisemitism across all government departments and agencies; and
- Amending the establishing legislation of every Victorian university to insert clear expectations around student safety, non-discrimination, and the enforcement of clear protocols for disciplinary action against students and staff who engage in actions that incite hatred.
Priority 3: Expand the Government's toothless "anti-hate taskforce" into a bipartisan steering committee that is explicitly tasked with identifying legislative gaps that allow hatred and antisemitism to foment in Victoria.
Leader of the Opposition, Jess Wilson, said: "Antisemitism is a disease, and you can't just treat the symptoms; a pro-active and systemic approach must be taken to stamp it out.
"To the Jewish community: The Liberals and Nationals are resolutely committed to standing up and fighting antisemitism. Words are not enough, and now is the time for leadership and real action that will make a difference.
"For two years, the Jewish community has been warning the Allan Government that failure to address the root causes of antisemitism will lead to violence, and tragically, the events in Bondi have laid that out clearly. An attack on our Jewish community is an attack on all Australians.
"The NSW Labor Premier has recalled Parliament to urgently pass reforms to stop protests and outlaw the violent slogan "Globalise the Intifada." The Liberals and Nationals are ready to support such measures in Victoria, so it's now up to Jacinta Allan to decide whether she will work with us to combat hate and protect all Victorians.
"For the sake of the safety and livelihoods of all Victorians, I call on Premier Allan to recall the Parliament next week so we can work together to take immediate action to stop the hate."
Shadow Attorney-General, James Newbury, said: "Premier Allan must recall Parliament to toughen laws following the worst terrorist attack Australia has ever seen."
"The Liberals and Nationals will work with the Government to pass laws that will make the Victorian community safer."
Shadow Minister for Jobs and Skills, Bridget Vallence said: "Victorian universities have been a hotbed of antisemitism over the past two years, and we must do everything we can to ensure our educational institutions do not become a training ground for extremism and hate."
Member for Caulfield, David Southwick, said: "Members of the Victorian Jewish community don't want band-aid solutions, they want real action. Premier Allan can no longer ignore their calls; the Jewish community deserve to feel safe in their homes, their universities, their places of worship, and public spaces."
