The Victorian Government will today introduce the Justice Legislation Amendment (Police and Other Matters) Bill 2025 to Parliament, giving Victoria Police stronger powers to crack down on violent, dangerous and hateful protesters and safeguard places of worship.
The reforms give police the power to unmask individuals who police reasonably believe have committed or intend to commit an offence at a public protest – making it easier to identify offenders. Penalties of more than $1,000 will apply for those who refuse to comply with a direction to remove their mask.
The changes will ensure that masks aren’t a free pass to break the law, said Premier, Jacinta Allan.
“Everyone has the right to protest peacefully, no one has the right to spread hate or endanger others,” the Premier said.
Protesters will also be prohibited from using attachment devices to lock on at public protests in a way that endangers the public, first responders and other protesters. Those who do so could face up to a year in prison on top of any other charges that may be laid.
The new laws will also ban the public display of symbols used by terrorist organisations listed under Federal law, such as extremist flags and insignia used by groups.
“If you’re coming to protests purely to cause trouble – you will be dealt with under these new laws,” said Minister for Police, Anthony Carbines.
The Government said the reforms have been developed in consultation with key religious, legal and human rights organisations and include clear exemptions for legitimate cultural, religious, artistic, reporting or educational reasons.
The Bill modernises the existing offence of disturbing religious worship, introduces penalties for assaulting people at religious assemblies and creates new offences for intimidating, harassing or obstructing attendees – with both offences punishable by up to three months’ imprisonment.
“Hate has no place in Victoria – these reforms strengthen our laws to protect people from those who seek to divide or intimidate,” said Attorney-General, Sonya Kilkenny.
