The Victoria state parliament passed an anti-mask protest law through its first reading on Wednesday, but Australian Jewish groups warned that the legislative package may not be enough to protect citizens from radical demonstrations.
The Justice Legislation Amendment (Police and Other Matters) Bill 2025 advanced to its second reading on Thursday after being announced by Premier Jacinta Allan’s government on Tuesday.
The reforms, designed to address violent and dangerous rallies at places of worship, would give the police the power to demand that protesters unmask if they are believed to have committed an offense or intend to.
Those that refuse to comply can be penalized A$1,000.
The lock-on protest tactic, in which devices are used to attach activists to one another or objects to prevent law enforcement from removing them, would be prohibited under the law if it endangers others.
Endangering the public, first responders, or other protesters with such devices could result in a prison sentence of up to a year.
The bill would introduce offenses for assaulting or obstructing attendees at religious assemblies, with both crimes punishable with a maximum sentence of three months in prison.
Australia moves to ban masked protests
The legislation also would ban the public display of government-designated terrorist organization symbols.
The Labor government assured that the legislation was geared toward allowing for the right to protest but would also allow law enforcement against those who exceed the boundaries of that right.
“Everyone has the right to protest peacefully; no one has the right to spread hate or endanger others,” Allan said in a statement.
The Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) and Zionism Victoria said in a joint Wednesday statement that while many of the reforms were a step in the right direction, they did not believe the masking laws would be sufficient to address belligerent protesters concealing their identities.
The mask law was narrow and unclear in the Jewish groups’ review.
“It creates uncertainty where there should be clarity. Laws that protect the community must be clear, consistent, and enforceable – this one isn’t,” said JCCV CEO Naomi Levin.
“Victorians, including Jewish Victorians, are sick and tired of neo-Nazis, extremists, and serial pests taking over our city, causing mayhem and disruption. These laws need to clearly tell protesters that they cannot hide behind masks.”
Far-left and anti-Israel organizations also condemned the introduction of the legislative package. The Defend Dissent Coalition announced on Tuesday that it would hold a rally in front of the parliament on November 18 against protest laws.
The group said in a November 2 video that the laws would have a chilling effect on democracy, and there were a variety of reasons that people could need to wear masks.
They also defended lock on tactics, arguing that effective protests were often not “polite.”