The Victorian Liberals and Nationals are calling on Premier Jacinta Allan to give Victoria Police the powers they need to stop radical anti-Israel protests planned for October 7.
While some powers are available under the Unlawful Assemblies and Processions Act 1958 and the Terrorism (Community Protection) Act 2003, Victoria Police have publicly stated they have no power to crack down on planned rallies.
This comes as a planned October 7 protest in Sydney was scaled back after swift action from NSW Police to cancel its protest permit. Although Victoria is the only state in Australia without permit laws, the Liberals and Nationals have urged the consideration of such a scheme in Victoria.
The October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel were the largest single day murder of Jews since the Holocaust, claiming over 1200 lives and 251 hostages, 101 of whom remain trapped in Gaza.
Leader of the Opposition, John Pesutto, said: "We live in a democracy that rests on vital principles like freedom of speech and the right to protest peacefully. But in Victoria over recent months, we have seen the Allan Labor Government allow violent protests to become normalised.
We have today called the Premier to give Victoria Police the powers they need to stop extremist and potentially dangerous protests, as well as an immediate reinstatement of Victoria Police move-on powers, which would enable people engaging in violence or inciting violence to be dealt with immediately.
Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party and Member for Caulfield, David Southwick, said: "For too long, we have seen the glorification of Hamas, Hezbollah, and violent terrorism run rampant on Melbourne's streets.
"As we reach the anniversary of Hamas' terrorist atrocities on October 7, the chance for this rhetoric to spill over into violence remains high. Our Jewish community, and every single person in our proudly diverse state, deserves to be kept safe."
