Family First Victorian Leader and Western Metropolitan Region MP Moira Deeming has welcomed Victoria Police's decision to deploy extra police and keep opposing groups separated at Saturday's Restore Women's Rights rally, following her intervention with the Chief Commissioner's office.
Mrs Deeming said she was grateful for clarification received this afternoon via email to her from Superintendent Shane Brundell, Deputy Chief of Staff - Government Liaison in the Office of the Chief Commissioner.
After Mrs Deeming raised concerns about the level of protection planned for the rally, Superintendent Brundell advised her that "extra police resources are being deployed to manage the rally and counter protest" and that police "will be keeping both groups separated to ensure safety of all participants, police and the broader public".
"This is very welcome news and I thank Victoria Police for responding to the concerns I raised on behalf of the organisers and the women who plan to attend," Mrs Deeming said.
"Whatever misunderstandings existed previously, the important thing is that we now have confirmation that extra police will be deployed and that the two groups will be kept separated.
"I am enormously relieved and grateful that Victoria Police has reconsidered the situation and will provide the preventative protection these women have been seeking.
"The men and women of Victoria Police have a difficult job and I thank them in advance for keeping the peace on Saturday."
Mrs Deeming intervened after organisers expressed fears for their safety and concern about what they understood to be an absence of dedicated police protection.
The Australian reported today that previous women's rights rallies have required substantial police deployments to separate participants from counter-protesters, with incidents over recent years involving assaults, projectiles, attempts to break police lines and arrests.
Mrs Deeming said one issue remained unresolved.
In her correspondence with police, she challenged what she understood to be an indication that the content or conduct of the Restore Women's Rights rally could potentially raise human-rights concerns.
Superintendent Brundell responded this afternoon: "The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act applies equally to everyone in the state."
"I completely accept that the Charter applies equally to everyone," Mrs Deeming said.
"But I remain deeply disappointed that women peacefully speaking up for the sex-based rights of women and girls could be left with the impression that their words might somehow put them in breach of the law.
"This underscores the chilling anti-free speech impact of Victoria's flawed anti-vilification laws.
"If Victoria Police believes that anything women intend to say at this rally could potentially be unlawful, then it should clearly identify the law and the conduct concerned.
"Women should not have to wonder whether saying that biological sex is real, defending female-only spaces or arguing for changes to gender-identity laws might expose them to legal consequences.
"Police should protect everyone's right to engage in peaceful political expression, irrespective of their views. Actual violence, threats and unlawful conduct should be dealt with as such.
"Saturday's rally is about women exercising their democratic right to speak publicly about laws and policies affecting them.
"I am very grateful that Victoria Police has now confirmed extra resources and separation between the groups. I hope Saturday demonstrates that women can peacefully make their voices heard without intimidation, harassment or violence."
