Allan government push to expand Victoria’s hate speech laws in doubt, parliament debate delayed

A push to overhaul Victoria’s hate speech laws is under a cloud as the Allan government delays a debate on the new bill amid growing concern it lacks the numbers to pass it through parliament.

The Allan government’s plan to overhaul Victoria’s hate speech laws is in doubt, with proposed legislation facing being knocked out of parliament.

The Herald Sun can reveal the proposed laws won’t be voted on this week amid growing concerns they will ultimately lack the numbers to secure passage through the upper house.

The Opposition has refused to back the laws, while crossbench MPs have also raised concerns.

Under current legislation, tougher penalties would apply for those who vilify and threaten others, while police would be equipped with new prosecution powers.

Disturbing anti-Semitic graffiti sprayed in Clayton in Melbourne. Picture: Supplied

Anti-Semitic graffiti at University of Melbourne. Picture: Supplied

But there are fears that flaws in the proposed reforms could seriously harm freedom of speech, and that a proposed defence would undermine the intention of stamping out discrimination.

“There is no certainty that it will get through the upper house, there’s no question about that,” one MP said.

“Very rarely do you have rainbow, Jewish and Islamic groups all opposed to something.

“In terms of Labor pressure groups, the government is wedged.”

The bill is currently before the lower house, where it would pass easily given the government’s majority.

But in order to pass a bill or motion in the 40-member upper house, 21 votes are needed.

Labor has 15 MPs and the Coalition has 14.

The Adass Israel Synagogue in Riponlea after it was firebombed in December. Picture: David Caird

Victorian Shadow Treasurer James Newbury. Picture: David Caird

Shadow Treasurer James Newbury described the move not to vote on the bill as “unprecedented”.

“The government have announced in an unprecedented way, in a way that I have not seen before, that they do not intend for this bill to be considered in the final vote this week,” he said.

“I have never seen that before. What that tells us in this chamber is the government has already acknowledged that it will have to substantially change the bill.

“So when speakers from the government side stand up and talk about the need for this bill to be passed, the government has said it will not pass this week. “They have determined it will not pass. The government made that choice.

‘They have not announced yet that it is because there will be substantive changes, but there will be.

“There will have to be, because what this bill is about is trying to do something to address the breaking social cohesion in this state.”

Originally published as Allan government push to expand Victoria’s hate speech laws in doubt, parliament debate delayed