Victoria can be a place where sexually and gender diverse Victorians can grow up feeling accepted, supported and loved. 

The Victorian Government’s Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill 2020 is a very welcome human rights measure. Liberty Victoria applauds this important initiative, and calls on all members of Parliament to support its prompt passage.

The time has come for it to be made clear that responsible, peaceful and socially distanced protest activity is lawful in the State of Victoria.

Liberty Victoria is very concerned by the recent arrests and issuing of infringement notices for persons engaged in protest activity. This includes:

The proposal reported on in the media that there was consideration to reduce jury sizes from 12 to 8 is wrong and should not be implemented. Rather than rush through such a fundamental change to a core institution of our criminal justice system the Parliament ought to introduce practical measures which will significantly increase the number of cases which can be dealt with, without interfering with established rights of citizens.

Liberty Victoria is very concerned about the new powers sought to be introduced by the COVID‑19 (Emergency Measures) Bill.

In particular, we are concerned about how the new powers of what seems to be preventative detention will affect vulnerable people. We have previously publicly discussed these concerns in the media.  

Liberty Victoria is deeply concerned by reports that some of the extraordinary measures introduced by the Government, and in particular the imposition of a curfew, were not made on the considered advice of public health officials and Victoria Police.

Liberty Victoria is deeply concerned and troubled about reports of the violent apprehension of Aboriginal man Korey Penny, while he was on his way to work.

Mr Penny was cycling to work and spear-tackled to the ground by a Victoria Police member. Victoria Police allege that he was cycling without lights and did not stop when told by police to do so.

Liberty Victoria is deeply concerned about reports of the arrest by Victoria Police of a woman for the alleged incitement of an anti-lockdown protest.

It has been reported that the apparently pregnant woman was arrested and handcuffed in her own home in the presence of her young children because of a Facebook post. One that she offered to take down during the police raid. To describe this approach by police as heavy handed is a gross understatement.

Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment

(State of Emergency Extension and Other Matters) Bill (Vic) – Exposure Draft

Liberty Victoria makes the following comments on the Exposure Draft of the Health and Wellbeing Amendment (State of Emergency Extension and Other Matters) Bill (Vic) (the Bill). The Bill proposes amendments to the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (Vic) (the Act).