Countering violent extremism

The Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Unit in the Department of Justice and Community Safety supports the Victorian Government’s efforts to counter violent extremism within the community.

CVE initiatives aim to prevent individuals from engaging in violent extremism and terrorism. The initiatives focus on supporting individuals at risk of violent extremism to address the drivers of radicalisation and reduce the threat of violence to the community.

Violent extremism refers to:

• a person or group who is willing to use violence, or
• the use of violence by others, to achieve a political, ideological or religious goal.

The CVE Unit also supports the Victorian Government’s efforts to counter violent extremism by coordinating and supporting a whole-of-Government approach This includes 

• Implementing recommendations made by the Expert Panel in 2017 
• Implementing and operationalising amendments made to the Terrorism (Community Protection) Act 2003
• Implementing recommendations made by the 2022 Inquiry into Extremism in Victoria
• Operationalising Australia’s Strategy for Protecting Crowded Places from Terrorism.

Expert Panel

In 2017, the Victorian Government appointed an Expert Panel to:

• examine the effectiveness of Victoria’s counter-terrorism legislation
• recommend improvements to assist relevant agencies to manage the risks posed by violent extremism.

The panel was led by:

• former Chief Commissioner of Police, Ken Lay
• the former Supreme Court of Appeal Justice, the Hon David Harper.

The Expert Panel released reports. The second report focuses on prevention and early intervention in relation to emerging risks of violent extremism 

The CVE Unit is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the government’s response to the Expert Panel’s recommendations relating to preventing and countering violent extremism and disengagement programs. The recommendations include:

• supporting research into extremist threats in Victoria
• supporting locally designed and delivered early intervention programs
• establishment of a single, central, multi-agency approach to support individuals through therapeutic case management
• convening an expert advisory committee to provide technical CVE experience to government.

The following initiatives were designed to support the implementation of the Expert Panel recommendations:

• Early Intervention Support Schemes
• Centre for Resilience and Inclusive Societies (CRIS)
• Expert Advisory Committee

Early Intervention Support Schemes

In 2022, important reforms commenced to support vulnerable people to move away from radicalisation.

Two schemes have been created that address the root causes of violent extremism.

The Voluntary Case Management Scheme

The Voluntary Case Management scheme provides support for people who are at risk of or are radicalising towards violent extremism. It connects them with the services they need and identifies ways to reconnect them with the community.

The Support and Engagement Order Scheme

The Support and Engagement Order Scheme allows a court to order that a person follow a tailored support and engagement plan. To make an order, the court must be satisfied that the person is radicalising towards violent extremism.

This approach is backed by research which suggests that an individual’s broader needs should be considered before addressing their extremist views and ideologies. Examples include:

• health
• housing
• employment
• connection to community.

Having a person’s broader needs met helps to divert them away from radicalisation, preventing a potential escalation to terrorist activity.

The schemes are supported by the Countering Violent Extremism Multi-Agency Panel which consists of representatives from:

• the Department of Education
• the Department Justice and Community Safety
• the Department of Health
• the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
• Victoria Police.

As required, the panel may also engage:

• experts in countering violent extremism
• practitioners in mental health.

For more information on early intervention and how to help someone you’re concerned about, visit the Australian Government’s Living Safe Together website (External link).

Centre for Resilience and Inclusive Societies (CRIS)

The Victorian Government has supported the Centre for Resilience and Inclusive Societies (CRIS) since 2018. CRIS deliver policy-relevant research outcomes focused on understanding and building resilience to contemporary forms of extremist hate, mobilisation and violence that threaten Victorian social cohesion.

CRIS brings together academics, community groups, government, and industry partners. They work together to research, develop, translate and communicate evidence-based, practical and up-to-date knowledge and resources.

With the establishment of CRIS, Victoria has benefited from the development of bespoke programs and policies. These focus on building resilience and inclusivity for local communities.

More information about CRIS can be found on the Centre for Resilient and Inclusive Societies website (External link).

Expert Advisory Committee

The Expert Advisory Committee meets quarterly and provides strategic, independent advice to government on:

• best practice approaches to early interventions and programs
• the efficacy of risk assessment tools
• the development of new disengagement interventions and programs
• the ongoing evaluation and effectiveness of early interventions and programs.

Inquiry into Extremism in Victoria

In 2022, the Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee investigated the rise of far-right extremist movements in Victoria, including:

• the risks these far-right extremist groups pose to Victoria and its multicultural communities
• how early intervention and social cohesion initiatives work to counter far-right extremist groups and their influence
• the links between far-right extremist groups, other forms of extremism, and populist radical right and anti-vaccine misinformation groups
• the risk posed to politicians and public figures.

The Committee asked for public submissions as part of its Inquiry. The Committee received and accepted a total of 21 submissions and held three days of public hearings.

The Committee released its Final Inquiry into Extremism Report (External link) on 30 August 2022.

The report makes 12 recommendations to:

• strengthen Victoria’s response to violent extremism
• increase social cohesion
• build trust in government.

Below are some of the recommendations.

Recommendation 2

That the government consider funding research to investigate the links between:

• extremism and family violence
• anti-women or anti-feminist sentiment and masculinity.

This research will help to identify further opportunities for counter-extremism measures.

Recommendation 5

Ensure that all of Victoria’s countering violent extremism programs continue to be reviewed externally on a regular basis. This will help to ensure that they are effective and adapting to the evolving extremism landscape.

Recommendation 6

That the Victorian Government develop a strategy to support community-driven social cohesion initiatives aimed at building connections and trust amongst community members, and between community members and civic institutions.

The Victorian Government has responded to the report’s recommendations. The Government supports or supports-in-principle all 12 of the report’s recommendations. The government is now planning the best way to implement the changes.

Protecting Crowded Places

Definition of crowded places

Crowded places are locations which are easily accessible by large numbers of people on a predictable basis.  This includes public and private buildings, transport hubs and sports stadia as well as open spaces such as parks, open air events such as markets and festivals, and pedestrian malls. Crowded places will not necessarily always be crowded and may fluctuate depending on the time of day/week, season, or temporary versus static nature of the site.

Crowded places remain the most likely target for future terrorist attacks.

Crowded Places Safety Program

The Crowded Places Safety Program is situated within the CVE Unit and is responsible for operationalising Australia’s Strategy for Protecting Crowded Places from Terrorism. Working closely with Victoria Police and the Department of Premier and Cabinet, the program delivers research, policy, and operational products to enhance the protection of crowded places in Victoria and build public capability in protecting crowded places from the risks of terrorism and extreme violence. Examples of this work include understanding the current state of protective security research in Australia and internationally, reviewing the policy and legislative settings for protecting crowded places in Victoria, improving access to resources, and conducting site vulnerability assessments.

Australia’s Strategy for Protecting Crowded Places from Terrorism

Australia’s Strategy for Protecting Crowded Places from Terrorism is produced by the Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee (ANZCTC). It represents a nationally consistent approach to protecting crowded places and promotes the importance of proportionate responses that aim to preserve community enjoyment of a site. The Strategy outlines the roles and responsibilities of owners and operators in preventing and mitigating terrorist attacks at their sites. The Strategy is supported by a suite of supplementary guidelines on specific attack methods including hostile vehicle attacks, active armed offenders, improvised explosive attacks, chemical weapon attacks and hostile reconnaissance.

For more information on ANZCTC and the Strategy and guidelines, visit the Australian National Security website (External link) .

Victoria Police SHIELD

The Victoria Police SHIELD program is aimed at owners and operators of businesses and the private security sector. Its goal is to build the resilience of crowded places and protect Victorians from terrorist attacks by strengthening partnerships with public and private sector businesses and facilitating information sharing on protective security concepts and responsibilities.

For more information on SHIELD or to become a member, visit the Victoria Police SHIELD website (External link).

Advice for owners and operators of crowded places

Owners and operators of crowded places have a responsibility to protect the lives of people who work in, visit and enjoy their sites. Protective security measures that are unique to safeguarding against terrorist threats should be a priority for all owners and operators of crowded places.

Implementing protective security measures should be considered at the earliest stage possible to improve community safety and promote seamless integration with the existing environment. As a starting point, it is recommended that owners and operators:

• Familiarise themselves with Australia’s Strategy for Protecting Crowded Places from Terrorism (External link)and the supplementary guidelines (External link)
• Conduct a risk assessment (External link) and an audit of their site’s existing security (External link)
• Take steps to understand and implement a layered approach to protective security based on the principles of deter, detect, delay and respond to a terrorist attack
• Join Victoria Police’s SHIELD network (External link) for advice and to share information on implementing protective security measures with other businesses and security professionals.

For further information on protecting crowded places, visit the Australian National Security website (External link).