Doesn’t matter if you’re Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu – we all deserve the right to simply be who we are: Premier Jacinta Allan
MELBOURNE, 17 December, 2024: Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan today announced a slew of steps to counter hate and create social cohesion saying “Multiculturalism isn’t the problem, it’s the solution – and when community harmony is at risk, Victoria’s multicultural policies, institutions and personnel must be equipped to reject division, build bridges and resolve conflict to bring people together.”
The announcement comes after the recent fire at a synagogue, suspected to be a hate action and which is being investigated. The planned government steps to counter hate are being also being seen in the context of Victoria’s first Anti-Racism Strategy, and the Anti-Vilification and Social Cohesion Bill before the Parliament.
A targeted advisory group is being setup headed by George Lekakis AO, the longest-ever serving Chair of the Victorian Multicultural Commission to to help the government implement the announced steps in consultation with community organisations.
In a media conference, Premier Jacinta Allan said, “Doesn’t matter if you’re Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu – we all deserve the right to simply be who we are.”
VIDEO OF FULL PRESS CONFERENCE:
Some of the proposed steps for ‘Stamping out extreme, dangerous and radical public demonstrations’ could lead to:
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banning the flags and symbols of listed terrorist organisations in public, to give Victoria Police more powers and fill in any gaps in Commonwealth anti-Terror legislation
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banning the use of face masks at protests, which are being used to conceal identities and shield agitators from crowd-control measures like capsicum spray
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banning the use of glue, rope, chains, locks and other dangerous attachment devices that protestors use to cause maximum disruption and endanger others (even themselves)
And, listed terrorist organisations include Hamas, Hezbollah and several other groups, including white nationalist and racist violent extremist (NRVE) right-wing groups.
On the other hand under ‘Helping organisations become champions of cohesion’ plan, the government says, will set and enforce a new standard by:
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introducing a simple, Victorian-focused ‘social cohesion pledge’ that multicultural organisations must observe to apply for government grants – with consequences if the pledge is broken
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setting a goal to restart multi-faith dialogue once again in Victoria following the conflict, to help people and communities come together
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undertaking further work to ensure Victoria’s multicultural policies, institutions and personnel are equipped to reject division, build bridges and resolve conflicts.
READ FULL MEDIA RELEASE WITH DETAILS OF STEPS:
https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/strong-action-fight-hate-and-help-victoria-heal
Meanwhile, the Australian Palestinian Advocacy Network (APAN) in a media statement says, “The Victorian Government’s announcement of measures to curtail and criminalise protest is a dangerous attack on civil liberties, aimed at suppressing legitimate public political action by Palestinians and their supporters demanding an end to Israel’s 15-month-long genocide in Gaza.”
READ FULL APAN MEDIA RELEASE:
Victorian Greens spokesperson for Justice, Katherine Copsey says, ” In a rush to look like they’re doing something, the State Labor Government has announced some very worrying anti-protest laws that seem designed to stop many peaceful demonstrations from going ahead and could ultimately silence important voices like survivors of child sexual abuse and social, environmental and peace activists.
READ FULL THE GREENS VICTORIA MEDIA RELEASE:
The report will be updated with more reactions as and when available.
