4.2.7 - One recent parliamentary committee inquiry

Question 1

What is the name of one recent parliamentary committee inquiry in Victoria?

Answer 1

Inquiry into Anti-vilification Protections in Victoria

Question 2

Referral

Answer 2

• Referred in September 2019
• legal and social issues committee
• asked to consider effectiveness of current legislation
• asked to consider if the law against vilification should be expanded to categories other than race or religion

Question 3

Report

Answer 3

• final report delivered March 2021
• 36 recommendations were made; protects for anti-vilification be expanded, lower threshold required to prove criminal vilification, special offence be created to outlaw the display of Nazi ideology

Question 3

Research

Answer 3

• call for submissions in October 2019
• March to June 2020: seven days of public hearings
• inquiry was promoted by advertising (The Age) and social media (facebook, instagram)
• 73 submissions received from Gov departments and agencies, CLC’s, experts

Question 4

Response

Answer 4

• September 2021 response to report
• Supported all but one recommendation
• some recommendations have been implemented
• Law received bipartisan support
• Further rounds of public consultation and amendments made in 2023

Question 5

What are specific responses from the government?

Answer 5

• June 2022, legislation passed ‘summary offences amendment (Nazi Symbol Prohibition) Act 2022’ which bans the use of the swastika
• Amendment made/passed in 2023 to expand the ban (Nazi Salute Prohibition)