Wednesday 2 April 2025
Labor-Greens deal to make Victorians less safe and less free
A secretive backroom deal between the Allan Labor Government and the Greens will make Victorians less safe and less free, weakening criminal protections while empowering activists to use the law as a political weapon.
Instead of pursuing bipartisan reform to protect vulnerable Victorians and uphold fundamental freedoms, Premier Jacinta Allan has sided with the hard-left ideologues of the Greens.
As a result, the proposed changes to Victoria’s anti-discrimination laws will water down protections against hate-fuelled crime, erode freedom of speech, and open the door to divisive ‘lawfare’ in our courts.
Key concerns with Labor-Greens amendments include:
Criminal Law Changes:
- Victoria Police will no longer be able to lay charges for incitement or threat offences – only the Director of Public Prosecutions can, introducing delays and limiting access to justice.
- The DPP must now consider the “social, cultural and historical circumstances” of the offender – creating loopholes for those who incite hate.
- The independence of the DPP is undermined by new directives on how charges should be considered.
Civil Law Changes:
- The longstanding ‘reasonable person’ test is scrapped, replaced by a subjective standard based on how conduct is perceived by those with the protected attribute.
- Freedom of expression is notably downgraded in the legislation, with key protections removed from the overarching principles of the Act.
- An overstretched VCAT and VEOHRC will face increased pressure, leading to delays in justice.
- Activist groups will be emboldened to launch politically motivated lawsuits against ordinary Victorians.
Shadow Attorney-General, Michael O’Brien, said the changes would lead to fewer protections for vulnerable people and weaker safeguards for freedom of speech.
“This Labor-Greens backroom deal means that Victorians will be less safe and less free,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The basic standard of the ‘reasonable person’ will no longer apply in discrimination law. All Victorians – whatever their inherent characteristics, faith or background – will be at risk of being sued for expressing honestly held views that a very small group may find severely ridiculing or seriously contemptuous.”
Mr O’Brien said Labor’s amendments were designed to silence debate and restrict religious expression.
“Labor–Greens amendments downgrade references in the Bill to ‘the right to freedom of expression’ and the importance of ‘the ability to engage in robust discussion reasonably and in good faith on any matter’.
“They also limit the right of faith groups to preach by narrowing the definition of proselytising. These changes are a direct attack on freedom of religion and freedom of thought.”
Mr O’Brien said the Liberals and Nationals remained committed to expanding protected attributes and strengthening criminal protections – but this need not occur at the expense of fairness and freedom.
“We support expanding the grounds of protected attributes and support stronger criminal sanctions for incitement and threats based on those attributes.
“But it is incredibly disappointing that Labor has chosen to water down criminal protections by removing the power of Victoria Police to lay charges and giving it solely to the DPP – a change that will delay justice and limit access to it.
“A future Liberals and Nationals Government will restore the ‘reasonable person’ standard, protect freedom of speech, belief and worship, and return charging powers to police so that hate-fuelled crime is properly dealt with – not buried in bureaucracy.”
Shadow Minister for Police, David Southwick, said Premier Jacinta Allan rejected a bipartisan solution that sought to ensure that no matter who you are or where you come from, in Victoria you would be protected from hate.
“Labor’s dirty deal with the Greens undermines Vic Police’s ability to shield the Jewish community from hate. The Greens push for weekly protests with hateful chants, while police remain shackled by requiring DPP approval before taking action.”