Victoria has outlined a new package of measures aimed at tackling anti-Semitism and violent extremism, following the anti-Semitic terrorist attack in Bondi that killed 15 people and amid a broader rise in racist incidents across the country.
Premier Jacinta Allan released the state’s updated strategy for preventing violent extremism, setting out five actions that range from tighter hate speech rules to changes around protests, firearms oversight and early intervention programs. The government says the focus is on public safety while maintaining core democratic rights.
At the centre of the plan is a push to strengthen how hate speech is handled online. Victoria’s anti-vilification laws, introduced this year, already include criminal penalties for the most serious conduct and a civil pathway through VCAT. The government now wants to address anonymous online abuse, where identifying the author of a vilifying statement can be difficult.
Under proposals to be examined, social media platforms could face civil liability if anonymous users spread hate and cannot be identified, potentially facing financial penalties or orders to remove content. The government says a senior legal expert will be asked to assess what changes are possible within constitutional limits. The civil anti-vilification scheme will also be brought forward to begin in April 2026, rather than later in the year.
Further amendments are planned for 2026 to remove the requirement for the Director of Public Prosecutions to approve police prosecutions for criminal vilification, returning the framework closer to its original design.
The government is also proposing new police powers to manage protests in the immediate aftermath of a designated terrorist incident. While maintaining support for the right to protest, ministers argue there are moments when heightened tensions require a stronger focus on community safety. The Solicitor-General has been asked to examine how similar powers proposed in New South Wales could be adapted for Victoria, with advice due early next year.
Firearms regulation forms another part of the response. Victoria has committed at National Cabinet to reviewing gun laws alongside other states, with a focus on licencing settings and the use of criminal intelligence. Former Victoria Police chief commissioner Ken Lay has been appointed to review current arrangements and consult with police and community groups.
The strategy also places emphasis on prevention, with the appointment of a commissioner to oversee a new three-year plan to counter violent extremism. The approach is intended to combine traditional security responses with community-led programs, including education and outreach in schools, clubs and places of worship. Government research identified a range of drivers that can lead to radicalisation, with the aim of intervening earlier.
Longer term, the government says it wants to work more closely with the Jewish community to restore a sense of normality. This includes maintaining forums such as the Local Escalation and Help group and establishing a council to develop clear, measurable goals to reduce hate and improve social cohesion, with progress reported publicly.
Victoria is also continuing work already under way, including adopting the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism, mandating Holocaust education in government schools and funding workplace support through the Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission. Cultural institutions and arts organisations will be engaged to develop guidelines on responding to anti-Semitic incidents.
Premier Allan said the measures reflect a duty to protect Jewish Victorians while strengthening safety for everyone. Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny said the laws introduced this year would come fully into effect in 2026, with further work needed over time to address hate and restore dignity for affected communities.
Civil liberties groups have previously cautioned that changes to protest powers and online regulation need careful oversight, while community leaders continue to call for strong action to counter rising hate. The government says the strategy aims to balance those concerns, with prevention, accountability and public safety at its core.
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