Stronger protections against hate a welcome win for Victoria 

2 April 2025 

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission welcomes stronger protections against harmful hate conduct following the Victorian Parliament’s passing of the Justice Legislation Amendment (Anti-vilification and Social Cohesion) Bill 2024. 

The new law will replace Victoria’s current vilification law (Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001) to address hate conduct, which has been under-utilised due to its complexity. 

Commissioner Allen said making the law more accessible and effective is a significant milestone in the state’s fight against hate. 

“Victoria will benefit from a more robust law to challenge hate. Now, more than ever, it’s vital to ensure people are better protected and perpetrators are held to account,” said Commissioner Allen.  

The reform substantially increases protections for people who are disproportionately targeted by hate speech and conduct in Victoria. People who are subjected to hate based on their race or religion will be much better protected, while the law will protect people with disability, LGBTIQA+ people and women for the first time. The law will also enable people to make complaints about intersectional experiences of hate. 

The Commission has welcomed the strengthening of civil protections under the reform. The new law will provide protection against a broader range of hate conduct by making it easier to call out everyday forms of hate as unlawful under its new harm-based protection. 

’People should feel safe and free from hate of any kind in our state. These reforms will allow more people to take action against hate more easily.” Commissioner Allen said. 

The Commission’s functions will be expanded to more effectively regulate hate by receiving complaints, conducting research and delivering education upon the new law taking effect. 

Commissioner Allen said the breadth of the Victorian Government’s reform process for anti-vilification, which has spanned more than 5 years and included 3 years of community consultation, has been the key to developing good legislation. 

“It’s great to see such a strong law come to fruition after thorough consultation. 

“If not ourselves, it’s a colleague or a friend – we all know someone who experiences hate. 

“When people can rely on effective safeguards from hate as a basic human right – it’s a win for everyone in Victoria,” said Commissioner Allen.  

Media contact 
Strategic Communications 
Phone: 0447 526 642 
Email: communications@veohrc.vic.gov.au