Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan addressed multicultural media on Thursday to confirm changes to anti-vilification and social cohesion laws. Flanked by Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll, and Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt, the Premier stated that the Justice Legislation Amendment (Anti-vilification and Social Cohesion) Bill 2024 would provide “greater protections to all Victorians”.
In what was a clear reference to the conflict between Israel and Hamas the premier said: “It will keep us safe from vilification and hate in public, on our streets, in our workplaces, in our parks, and in the corridors of universities.”
She added that the legislation would crack down on people who incite hatred against others and make it easier for police to lay charges. Allan also noted that “religious exceptions to anti-vilification laws will be guaranteed” as protected groups are expanded, and new criminal offences are introduced to combat hate and division.
The bill, introduced to parliament last Tuesday, will extend protections to include disability, gender identity, sex, and sexual orientation. Individuals associated with someone who has a “protected attribute”, such as the parent of a disabled child, will receive the same protections.
Two new criminal offences will be added to the Crimes Act, making it easier to prosecute serious vilification in public, private, or online settings. The offences cover inciting hatred, serious contempt, revulsion, or severe ridicule towards another person or group based on a protected attribute, as well as threatening physical harm or property damage for the same reason.
Allan acknowledged the cost-of-living pressures on Victorians, emphasising that multiculturalism supports “the opportunity to have a good job, raise a family, buy a house, or start a business”.
Expressing gratitude for multicultural engagement, she stated it had given her “new energy and drive to work for the things we all hold dear and to promote a strong and united Victoria”.
“Whether you are a newspaper, broadcaster, or podcast, you are continuing to write the story of our great multicultural state. You keep your community informed and ensure its voice is heard and represented.”
“We’ve seen overseas divisions creep into our society. We must work hard to keep Victoria united and protect what makes our state strong. We cannot tolerate any part of society being attacked for who they are,” Allan said, addressing the rise of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia linked to the conflict.
She concluded that everyone has the right to feel safe, “to celebrate who they are, love who they love, and pray to their god”.
Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll highlighted the “two-way relationships” between multicultural communities and their overseas counterparts. He also discussed a new $4 million anti-racism campaign, stressing that racism must be addressed through education. “As the premier said, cost of living is the biggest issue. One measure we’ve introduced is the School Saving Bonus,” Carroll said.
A one-off $400 payment will be provided in 2025 to government school students from Prep to Year 12. Non-government school students receiving the Camps, Sports, and Excursions Fund (CSEF) in 2024 will also be eligible.
Minister Stitt reiterated the premier’s sentiments, highlighting the important role of multicultural media in “telling the stories of our diverse communities and maintaining social cohesion”. She emphasised the government’s commitment to supporting multicultural media, including a $1.5 million grant and a 15% advertising allocation to ethnic media.
Addressing economic concerns, Allan responded to Neos Kosmos on the state’s $180 billion debt and land tax increases, which worry Greek property owners planning for retirement or having an extra house for their children. She stressed that the government remains focused on “supporting a strong economy” through measures like delivering an operating surplus and investing in “productive infrastructure”.
Finally, Carroll addressed the importance of community languages, in schools but recognised the impact of rising public schools hire for after hour languages. He cited recent discussions at La Trobe University aimed at promoting language education and training more language teachers.
