A former minister in the Andrews government has accused Victoria Police bosses of turning a blind eye to terror symbols on Melbourne’s streets and called on state Labor to impose NSW-style restrictions on public protests in a move backed by Jewish community groups.

Philip Dalidakis, who served as a cabinet minister from 2015 to 2018, said the arson attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea was a reminder of what happens “when those responsible for public safety drop the ball”. He called for protest permits, which are used in NSW, and police move-on powers.