Overview

• Pro-Palestinian protesters marched through Melbourne on Sunday, vowing to continue weekly rallies despite looming government restrictions.
• Premier Jacinta Allan has announced plans for strengthened anti-vilification laws and a protest permit system to curb what authorities call “odious” demonstrations.
• The government is drafting legislation to ban protests outside places of worship and prohibit face coverings at rallies after similar measures in New South Wales.
• Victoria’s newly formed anti-hate task force held its first meeting on Tuesday in response to recent violent incidents targeting Jewish community sites.
• The federal Labor government has pledged further action to protect Jewish Australians following recommendations from its anti-Semitism envoy.