New Victorian Laws Aim to \’Unmask\’ Violent Protesters and Ban Terrorist Symbols

The Victorian Government is moving to strengthen police powers and curb extremist behaviour at public rallies by introducing the Justice Legislation Amendment (Police and Other Matters) Bill 2025.

The legislation is primarily aimed at making it easier for police to identify offenders who use masks and face coverings \”to conceal identities and shield agitators\” from accountability.

The central reform grants police the authority to demand the removal of a face mask if an officer \”reasonably believes\” the protester is involved in, or intends to commit, a criminal offence at the rally.

Premier Jacinta Allan framed the law as a necessary tool to separate peaceful protesters from violent extremists:

\”The right to protest is an important principle here in our democracy and what we are dealing with here is a small number of people using the cloak of those protests to bring violence and hateful behaviour.\”

A significant element of deterrence is the threat of an immediate penalty: protesters who refuse a legitimate direction to remove a face covering face fines of more than $1000.

Beyond unmasking powers, the legislation also includes key public safety and anti-extremism provisions:

Terrorist Symbols: It bans the public display of symbols used by federal-listed terrorist organisations.

Worshipper Protection: It includes added protections for religious worshippers, targeting those who seek to disrupt or harass people attending places of faith.

Despite the government\’s assurances that the law is \”workable,\” Police Association Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt remains critical. He argues the conditional nature of the mask removal power—requiring police to establish a reasonable belief of an offence first—will be cumbersome and ineffective against mass numbers of masked agitators.

The government aims to have the laws passed by December and enacted by March next year.