The Victorian government is seeking community feedback on how to strengthen its anti-vilification protections to better prevent and address hate speech and conduct, with the third stage of our public consultation now open for submissions on the Engage Victoria website.
Have your say on strengthening Victoria’s laws against hate speech and conduct – stage 3 of consultation now open
The Victorian government is seeking community feedback on how to strengthen its anti-vilification protections to better prevent and address hate speech and conduct, with the third stage of our public consultation now open for submissions on Engage Victoria.
This third and final consultation stage is focused on civil anti-vilification protections, and will close at 5pm on Monday 16 October 2023. You can provide feedback through a written submission or by responding to a plain English survey.
Translated materials, interpreter assistance, and other communication access options are available. Please contact reform@justice.vic.gov.au for help with any access requirements, or if you would like a stakeholder communication kit to help promote the consultation.
engage.vic.gov.au/anti-vilification
Fair and accessible anti-vilification protections for all Victorians
Vilification is more commonly understood as hateful speech or conduct. It is behaviour that encourages hatred against you because of who you are. This can include threats of violence.
The proposed reforms will provide greater protections against hate speech and conduct – particularly for those Victorians who are statistically more likely to be targeted with vilification such as First Nations people, LGBTIQ+ communities, people with disability, women, and people who belong to a particular religious or ethnic group.
To ensure changes to the laws are fit-for-purpose and meet the needs of all Victorians, this consultation enables everyone to have their say on how to strengthen our laws against hateful speech and conduct.
Victoria’s rich diversity is one of our greatest strengths as a state. Hate has no place in our community, and everyone has the right to feel safe in the place they call home.
Anti-vilification reform is a complex issue which will benefit from broad community feedback, especially from those who are most often impacted by vilification. Consultation has been phased throughout 2023 to allow time for communities to meaningfully contribute. All stages of consultation are now open for feedback:
Stage 1 – protecting more Victorians from vilification. Closes 5pm Friday 8 September 2023
Stage 2 – improving criminal anti-vilification protections for Victorians. Closes 5pm Monday 2 October 2023
Stage 3 – strengthening civil anti-vilification protections for Victorians. Closes 5pm Monday 16 October 2023
Find out more and have your say by visiting engage.vic.gov.au/anti-vilification
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