Victoria strengthens vilification laws
"It will keep us safe from vilification and hate in public, on our streets, in our workplaces, in our parks and the corridors of universities," Jacinta Allan stated.
Jewish leadership has praised new, more comprehensive anti-vilification laws unveiled on Tuesday but will seek clarification from the Victorian government on whether a built-in “political expression” defence could be counter-productive.
In the presence of community and faith leaders, Premier Jacinta Allan and Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes announced changes to the anti-vilification and social cohesion legislation.
“It will keep us safe from vilification and hate in public, on our streets, in our workplaces, in our parks and the corridors of universities,” Allan told media.
The bills expanding the vilification law, introduced in the Legislative Assembly, will supplement existing protections under Victoria’s Racial and Religious Tolerance Act.
They include two new criminal offences against public, private and online vilification, covering incitement of hatred, serious contempt, revulsion or severe ridicule against a person or group, or threatening physical harm or property damage.
Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) CEO Naomi Levin said, “Our current weak laws have meant that for far too long, Victorians have been able to get away with vilifying and assaulting Jews and people from other minority groups … We urge the Parliament to speedily debate and implement these essential reforms.”
On the “political expression” defence, Levin said the JCCV “looks forward to further engaging with the Victorian government to ensure this defence does not become a catch-all measure that renders these new laws unworkable”.
Caulfield MP and deputy Liberal leader David Southwick cautioned, “Labor have yet to provide the detail on it or how these laws will keep the community safe. Since October 7, we have seen antisemites using the term ‘Zionist’ when they clearly mean ‘Jew’. Will the ‘political purpose’ exemption to hate speech apply in this case?”
Shadow Attorney-General Michael O’Brien noted the Opposition will “consult widely with Victorians once the bill is available”.
Present at Allan’s announcement, ARK Centre’s Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann, who is on the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission, stated, “These changes will send a clear and united message: no matter who you are, where you come from, or what you believe, you have a right to feel safe and protected.”
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