Victoria Proposes New Protest Laws to Enhance Safety at Religious Sites
The legislation would grant police expanded powers, including banning face masks at protests and creating safe zones around places of worship, following a suspected terror attack on a Melbourne synagogue.
- The Victorian government has introduced proposed laws to curb protests near religious sites and address rising anti-Semitism in the state.
- Police would gain powers to enforce a ban on face masks at protests, with exemptions for health, religious, or cultural reasons.
- The legislation includes the creation of 'safe access areas' around places of worship to protect attendees from potential disruptions or threats.
- Protesters using attachment devices, such as glue, chains, and locks, would face stricter penalties, with police allowed to seize and destroy such items.
- Civil liberties groups have raised concerns over the potential for police overreach, while Jewish community leaders have welcomed the measures as a step toward greater safety.
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