Divided over vilification laws
Questions remain over Victoria’s anti-vilification laws as no convictions have been secured since reforms.
Victoria’s strengthened anti-vilification laws have produced no convictions since taking effect, raising questions about whether the changes will deliver meaningful outcomes for the Jewish community.
Amendments earlier this year removed the requirement for the Director of Public Prosecutions to approve prosecutions before charges could be laid.
Jewish Community Council of Victoria CEO Naomi Levin said the change was a step forward, but cautioned it was too early to judge.
“Removing the barrier, which was DPP approval, is a real step in the right direction, but we need to give these laws time to be implemented, for police to become familiar with them, and for charges to be laid before we can really judge whether it’s satisfactory.”
Levin acknowledged a broader erosion of confidence.
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