The Victorian government has unveiled broad plans to crack down on protester rights and bolster social cohesion, citing a rise in anti-Semitic incidents across the state.
Premier Jacinta Allan said recent discussions with Victoria's Jewish community in the wake of the recent suspected terror attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue had informed the move.
"I'll never forget the sight and smell of that blackened synagogue for the rest of my life," Ms Allan said.
An arson attack tore through the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne's south-east on December 6. (Supplied: Prime Minister's Office)
"I'll never forget the harrowing stories of those who had escaped from that act of terror.
"There are too many who want to qualify anti-Semitism or make excuses for it, and I want to make it absolutely clear that I never will."
A joint counter-terrorism team is investigating the December 6 torching of the Adass Israel Synagogue, which occurred in the early hours of the morning while congregants were praying inside.
Under the planned changes announced on Tuesday, the government would introduce laws which it said would more strongly protect the right of people to attend places of worship.
The changes could include the establishment of safe access areas around places of religious worship to outlaw protests.
Police will be given expanded powers regarding protests in Victoria. (ABC News: James Dean)
Ms Allan said the changes would safeguard Victoria's multiculturalism, which was "the solution" to social cohesion issues.
"A modern, multicultural Victoria is one that is built on a simple promise: whoever you are, whoever you pray to, you are safe and welcome in this state," she said.
The premier also announced additional measures to build social cohesion in the state, which she said had clearly deteriorated in recent months.
The government plans to introduce a "social cohesion pledge" for multicultural organisations, that must be observed in order to access government grants.
The proposed legislation will need to pass parliament, and would be formed in discussion with religion leaders and communities.
It comes as the NSW government vows to make similar law changes, following a rally outside Sydney’s Great Synagogue on December 4.
The government has also earmarked the formation of a new 'Local Escalation and Help' group including representatives of Jewish community groups to liaise directly with government.
Protesters face ban on masks, locks and glue
A separate set of measures were also announced by Ms Allan to deliver greater powers to police when responding to public protests.
Under the changes, the government would introduce its own state ban on protester use of terror organisation flags, as well as face masks and balaclavas.
While acknowledging not all protesters using masks were anti-Semitic, Ms Allan said face coverings had been used by bad actors at protests.
“We know they are being used to conceal identities, shield agitators from crowd control measures,” Ms Allan said.
“Face masks aren’t a free pass to break the law.”
Glue, ropes and locks would also be banned at protests, with the government highlighting protest groups who have used the tools to attach themselves to public spaces.
Police used an angle grinder to remove a woman who had set her hand in concrete inside a vehicle. (ABC News)
Ms Allan said while the right to protest was important, it would not trump the safety of Victorians.
"Peaceful protests can and must be protected in this state, protests that harm others cannot," Ms Allan said.
Police given new powers around protests
Minister for Police Anthony Carbines said these new laws would provide an opportunity for Victoria Police to protesters to remove face covering at rallies.
"Ski-masks are for Mt Buller in the ski seasons, they are not for streets in Melbourne," Mr Carbines said.
"If you stand for something, you don't get to hide behind a mask here in Victoria."
Police will be given the ability to ask protesters to remove their face coverings at rallies and demonstrations. (ABC News: Alexandra Alvaro)
Mr Carbines said the new laws would mean if a protester refused to remove their face coverings, they could be arrested and charged.
He said the outlawing of "attachment devices" was made in an effort to help emergency services, who faced risks when responding to protesters who used them.
Police would also be given the power to stop and search people or their vehicles if they suspect they have a dangerous attachment device.
Under the current law, the government said police had to return such devices to "offenders".
Under the proposed changes, police would be able to seize, remove and destroy the devices.
"We know that attachment devices that people use put first responders at risk, in both removing offenders and making a situation safe, they disrupt the economy, they disrupt people from going about their lawful activities," Mr Carbines said.
Jewish community council says reforms can benefit 'all Australians'
Jewish Community Council of Victoria CEO Naomi Levin welcomed the reforms, saying it was "regrettable" it had taken the attack on the synagogue to bring them about but that they would improve community safety for all Australians.
"This isn't just about the Jewish community, this is about all Australians," she said.
"We don't want to see a society where places of worship come under attack from terrorists.
"Obviously [it is] really regrettable that it took such an extreme and dangerous event … for these changes to come about, but we're cautiously optimistic that with the introduction of these reforms ... Melbourne and Victoria will be a safer place for us all to live."