Victoria’s protest crackdown: Premier Jacinta Allen to ban face masks and terrorist flags
Face masks, balaclavas, glue and chains could be banned under a crackdown on extreme and radical influences at protests.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has announced proposed laws to rid the state of extremist behaviour at protests including safe access zones at places of worship.
The changes target what Ms Allan called extremism at protests and include a ban on flags of listed terrorist organisations including those of Hamas and Hezbollah and several white nationalist groups.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“We will also legislate to thwart protests and disturbances at shules, temples, mosques, anywhere in Victoria where Victorians are simply undertaking their fundamental right of religious freedom,” Ms Allan said on Tuesday.
The announcement comes after a recent rise in anti-Semitic incidences in Australia, including a firebombing terrorist attack on Melbourne’s Adass Israel synagogue.
Police will be given the power to search, disassemble and destroy ropes, glue, chains, locks and similar devices.
It will also be illegal for protesters to glue themselves to roads or wear face coverings such as masks or balaclavas.
Victoria’s Police Minister Anthony Carbines said the coverings can “embolden bad behaviour” at mass gatherings.
“If you have the courage of your convictions and if you stand for something, you don’t get to hide behind a mask here in Victoria,” he told reporters.
Ms Allan said the rise in anti-Semitism over the past year was “unacceptable in our modern, multicultural state”.
“We will be setting a standard — we do not tolerate anti-Semitism,” she said.
However, the premier said people’s right to peacefully protest must be protected.
“It would be wrong for me to say that everyone who’s attending these protests is anti-Semitic,” she said.
“There’s no one saying that, but we know some are, and we know some are saying that we also know that hate and anti-Semitism are thriving in these environments.
“This isn’t about the Middle East. This is about Victoria. This is about our values and the right of anyone in this state to live, work and pray freely without fear of intimidation, fear and violence.”
Federal Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton welcomed the announcement but said measures should have been put in place at the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023.
