Wednesday 2 October 2024
No excuses for Labor on October 7 demonstrations
For too long the Allan Labor Government has stood by claiming that increasingly violent and divisive demonstrations on the streets of Melbourne are out of its control.
This is despite the Labor Government voting to remove strong move-on powers from Victoria Police.
Now, the Liberals and Nationals are highlighting the powers available under the Unlawful Assemblies and Processions Act 1958.
This Act specifically makes unlawful any assembly:
“…for the purpose of celebrating or commemorating any festival anniversary or political event relating to or connected with any religious or political distinction or differences…and who bear wear or have…publicly exhibited any banner emblem flag or symbol…calculated to provoke animosity between…subjects of different religious persuasions…”.
(Section 10, Unlawful Assemblies and Processions Act 1958)
Not only is participating in such an unlawful assembly an indictable offence, but a magistrate has the power to order the dispersal of any such unlawful assembly.
The Liberals and Nationals are calling for the law be enforced to prevent any demonstration to celebrate the anniversary of the disgusting attacks by terrorist group Hamas on Israeli civilians on 7 October 2023.
Shadow Attorney-General, Michael O’Brien, said: “On October 7, Hamas terrorists waged the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust, killing more than 1,200 Israeli civilians and taking more than 100 people, including children, hostage.
“It is totally unacceptable for any group to stage a public event to celebrate the anniversary of these evil acts. Moreover, it is illegal given the clear provisions of the Unlawful Assemblies and Processions Act.
“There is no place for the flags of terrorist organisations Hamas and Hezbollah on the streets of our state. There is no doubt that such flags are “calculated to provoke animosity between…subjects of different religious persuasions”.
“If the Allan Labor Government believes that Victorian laws shouldn’t be enforced to prevent the celebration of a murderous terrorist attack, it needs to come out and explain why.
“Either way, Premier Allan has run out of excuses. The October 7 terrorist attacks were evil and we cannot allow them to be celebrated in this state by those intent on provoking hatred for other Victorians”.
