Ms Patten (Northern Metropolitan) — My question concerns the recent riots in Coburg and is directed to the Minister for Police in the other place. On the Monday after the riots I went to the wonderfully diverse Coburg shopping precinct to talk to traders forced to close down their businesses after radicals and racists decided to spend a Saturday storming the streets with their message of hate. I believe in and strongly advocate for the right to protest, but spreading violence and harm is not a protected activity. However, I was concerned to hear the police minister suggest a ban on masks in order to better combat such protests. Such a decision could have negative flow-on effects for the very groups targeted. Mask or no mask, if you are behaving in ways that are not consistent with acceptable behaviour, police already have the power to act in such circumstances. I ask the minister to advise whether a legislatively driven ban on face masks at protests is something the government is considering.
ANSWER:
The opportunity to protest is an integral part of our open and democratic way of life. Where groups with different views choose to express their opinions publicly in the same area at the same time, the role of police is to maintain public order and enforce the criminal law. However, it can be challenging for police when acting to separate opposing groups of participants.
Effective policing requires the careful exercise of judgement and the application of appropriate discretion, ensuring that police adapt their response to suit the circumstances of the day.
Following discussions with the Chief Commissioner of Police, the government has agreed to examine laws against the wearing of face coverings at protests. The government also agreed to consider laws which allow police to identify individuals whose intent is to commit violence, rather than to protest, and to provide police with the power to intervene to prevent individuals or groups with violent intent entering a designated area or areas.
The government will continue to work closely with Victoria Police to deliver the resources and powers they need to keep the community safe.
