The Victorian Government released a statement on Friday saying said it wants to establish a new Multicultural and Multifaith Law Reform Consultative Committee.

The proposed committee will be constituted by “legal experts, community and faith leaders who will will look at legislation through a cultural and religious lens.”

A focus of the committee is to help Victorians of diverse background feel secure against racism and bigotry.

There has been a rise of neo-Nazi and right-wing extremism in Victoria since the mid 2000s. It has been tackled by successive governments with an inquiry into neo-Nazi extremists carried out by the Victorian Multicultural Commission in 2012 former coalition government of Ted Bailleu.

“Discrimination and hatred of any kind is unacceptable, the committee will strengthen the work we can do to make sure no Victorian ever has to face this kind of vile and disgusting behaviour,” said Premier Andrews in a statement.

Alleged neo-Nazi group leader Thomas Sewell, along with other groups have been accused of spreading hate. Some had infiltrated anti vax protests.

There is an increase of incidents of anti-Semitism, and bigotry towards Indian and other South Asia Victorians, as well as Africans, South East Asian and First Australians, Muslims, Africans and Greeks.

“Recent events have shown the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 does not do enough to protect Victorians from multicultural and multifaith backgrounds.

“We’re going to fix this and reduce racism and discrimination in our state,” Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said.

Racism towards Chinese sentiment was evident at the start of the Covid pandemic, with reports of harassment in the street and on-line hatred against Chinese Australians.

This proposed committee will provide advise on how laws can be developed with the needs of multicultural and multi-faith communities in mind.

The Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Ros Spence said that the Victorian government has “always valued the role multicultural and multifaith communities have played in shaping the Victoria we know today.”

Given Greeks have in the past faced racism, (and even now at times), it is important that they participate in formation of the committee.

Expression of interest process will open to all members of the Victorian community wishing to participate in the committee.