The Victorian government must be careful not to blindly expand executive powers, surveillance and censorship in its bid to combat the influence of far-right extremism, a parliamentary inquiry has been told.
The inquiry, which began public hearings on Tuesday, was called amid a recent emergence of extremist groups into public view, including neo-Nazis gathering in the Grampians and gallows erected outside state parliament while pandemic legislation was debated last year.
Michael Stanton, president of Liberty Victoria, told the upper house’s legal and social issues committee that any reform needed to ensure free speech was balanced with people’s right to live without discrimination and violence.
“We need to make sure that in responding to those confronting scenes in the Grampians … or the erection of gallows outside parliament, that we do not have a legislative response that throws the baby out with the bathwater,” Stanton said.
“Sometimes that involves tolerating things that we find offensive or humiliating.
“I’m reminded of John Howard who, famously of course, introduced gun control but also strongly opposed flag burning becoming a criminal offence despite pressure from his own backbench.
“To cast [the] net more broadly risks increasing stigmatisation – the kind of stigmatisation faced by the Muslim community, or parts of the Muslim community, in Australia for almost two decades.”
He also warned that stifling free speech, particularly on social media, could amplify the voices of extremist group members.
“They will use that to communicate to their followers that their message is being repressed or suppressed,” he said.
Stanton added that it was a “myth” that there was a “conveyor belt” where people exposed to extremist ideologies would become radicalised and engage in violent extremism.
He pointed to terrorism and community protection legislation passed by the Victorian government last year – designed to divert people away from radicalisation before they become a community threat – which he said could have a potential “punitive impact”.
He also warned it could lead to racialised enforcement over time.
Stanton said tackling the rise in extremism would require repairing and building faith in institutions, government and media.
“We need to address the drivers as to why some people are attracted to extremist ideology in the first place and that involves addressing issues of social isolation, of economic insecurity and matters that are preyed upon,” he said.
He also warned against lumping in anti-lockdown protesters with far-right extremists, saying it could create further stigmatisation.
Last month, Victoria introduced landmark legislation that would see the state become the first jurisdiction in Australia to ban the Nazi swastika. Displaying the swastika in public could lead to fines of almost $22,000, 12 months’ imprisonment, or both once the legislation comes into effect.
The Jewish Community Council of Victoria urged the state government to continue to support anti-racism education school programs such as those coordinated by the Melbourne Holocaust Museum. The council also backed strong engagement between the state government and Victorian police to provide security measures to help keep the Jewish community safe.
The inquiry – announced in February after a push from the Greens – will probe how the pandemic fuelled the growth of extreme far-right groups as well as how they recruit members, communicate and the risks posed.
The inquiry is due to hand down its final report with findings and recommendations by 4 August.
Australian Associated Press contributed to this report
