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‘We welcome stronger laws to protect Victorians from hate.’ – Our statement on the Justice Legislation Amendment (Anti-vilification and Social Cohesion) Bill 2024 

We support the Victorian Government’s proposal to strengthen anti-vilification protections, which will foster a Victoria where everyone feels safe and welcome.

27 November 2024

Everyone in Victoria should live free from hate.

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (the Commission) welcomes the Victorian Government’s Justice Legislation Amendment (Anti-vilification and Social Cohesion) Bill 2024. The proposed changes to Victoria’s anti-vilification laws will provide stronger protection to people who are subjected to harmful hate conduct based on their race and religion and will protect more Victorians.

Commissioner Ro Allen said that strong laws, when accessible and effective, are an important way of promoting diversity and social cohesion.

“As the regulator of Victoria’s vilification law, I know that the current legislation does not go far enough to protect Victorians,” Commissioner Allen said.

“The Victorian Government’s proposed changes to anti-vilification laws will provide broader protection against hateful conduct so that people in Victoria are safer and perpetrators are held to account.”

The Commission welcomes the strengthening of civil protections and the simplification of criminal offences set out in the Anti-vilification and Social Cohesion Bill. While Victoria’s current vilification law (Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001) has been in operation for over 20 years, its complexity means that it has been under-utilised in practice.

“Every day, we hear from people from culturally and racially marginalised backgrounds, including First Peoples and people of faith, about the hate they are subjected to, and we see the failure of the current law to provide the protection these communities need,” Commissioner Allen said.

“We also know that there are groups of people in Victoria who are disproportionately targeted by hate but currently have no protection at all, including people with disability, LGBTIQA+ people and women.

“The Commission’s functions to manage vilification complaints, conduct research and provide education will be vital in tackling hate conduct in our community.”

The Commission supports the proposed stronger protections for people against harmful hate conduct to help Victoria become a fair, safe and inclusive place where everyone is respected and treated with dignity.

People who have experienced vilification, discrimination, sexual harassment, victimisation or change or suppression practices can make a report via the Community Reporting Tool or contact the Commission’s Enquiry Line on 1300 292 153. The Commission can help you understand your rights and how you can make a complaint if you choose to. It’s a free and confidential service.

Media contact

Strategic Communications
Mobile: 0447 526 642
Email:communications@veohrc.vic.gov.au

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Address
Level 3, 204 Lygon Street Carlton Victoria 3053

General enquiries
enquiries@veohrc.vic.gov.au

Reception
1300 891 848

Enquiry line
1300 292 153 or (03) 9032 3583

Interpreters
1300 152 494

NRS Voice Relay
1300 555 727 then use 1300 292 153

Media enquiries
0447 526 642

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission acknowledges that we work on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We also work remotely and serve communities on the lands of other Traditional Custodians.

We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.