Overview

• The taskforce convened this week with government, police and Jewish community representatives to coordinate responses to the weekend’s violent incidents.
• Premier Jacinta Allan charged the group with outlining plans to operationalise the criminal provisions of the new Anti-Vilification and Social Cohesion Act and to seek updates from the Local Escalation and Help support network.
• Victoria Police have charged a 34-year-old NSW man with recklessly endangering life over the East Melbourne synagogue firebombing and three people with assault, affray and criminal damage in the CBD restaurant attack.
• Commissioner Mike Bush is reviewing operational protocols after officers were told not to engage with a rowdy CBD demonstration that preceded the restaurant assault.
• The ecutive Council of AuAustralian Jewry is urging the creation of a national anti-hate unit even as human rights groups caution against adopting a New South Wales–style protest permit system.