A fierce response to pro-Palestine protesters planning to disrupt the unveiling of the Myer Christmas Windows has prompted the Victorian government to announce it will strengthen anti-vilification laws to enhance social cohesion and give police more power to manage demonstrations.
Myer announced on Thursday it would cancel the annual Myer Christmas Windows opening festivities due to concern for public safety over a pro-Palestine protest.
“We’ve been working hard on those laws, and I can tell you now that we will introduce them to Parliament this month," Ms Allan said. “Let’s have a dose of reality, do we really think the same sort of morons who want to disrupt a beautiful Christmas tradition for families are going to apply for a permit?” she asked.
Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party, John Pesutto, said it was “unacceptable” that the Premier was “unwilling to act”. "If I were Premier today I would be working with Victoria police to issue whatever declarations need to be issued to protect places like this, where young families come to celebrate a very important time of the year."
In 2015, The Andrews Labor Government introduced legislation to repeal what they referred to as the Liberals’ “draconian and unnecessary move-on laws” which gave Victoria Police the power to move protesters on from their demonstration.
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