Stronger protections for Victorians

Two new civil anti-hate protections in the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 came into effect across Victoria on April 15, which may make it easier to take action against those who spread vilification and hate speech.

The reforms recognise that vilification can be: behaviour likely to incite hatred in others because of a person or group’s protected attribute; as well as hate speech or hateful behaviour that a reasonable person from the target group is likely to consider to be hateful. The basis for the hateful behaviour must be because of a person’s protected attributes, and the behaviour must be public including online, in person, verbal or written. There are exceptions to the civil protections including freedom of expression and religion.

Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) president Philip Zajac welcomed the reforms.

“The JCCV worked closely with Victorian legislators and the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission in the development and roll out of these new laws.

“These new laws should make it easier to take action against those who spread vilification and hate speech in Victoria,” he told The AJN.