Principals given power to suspend, expel students outside school grounds
The change in powers is in line with NSW and South Australia, which have implemented such capacities for principals to suspend, exclude or expel students for behaviour that could affect student and staff safety.
It is also in response to an increase in online abuse and harassment among students, particularly online, including deepfakes and AI-generated images.
In
February
, police launched an investigation after a 'number of sexually explicit, digitally generated images of teenage girls who attend Gladstone Park Secondary College were circulated online'.
Education Minister Ben Carroll said the change would 'send a clear message that harmful behaviour outside of school or online has consequences'.
'In Victoria, community safety comes first,' he said.'The safety of students, teachers and school staff is our top priority – we're investing in programs that foster more respectful schools and acting to protect school communities.
'This builds on our nation-leading ban on mobile phones in schools and our support of a social media ban for kids – keeping kids safe in the classroom and online.'
As part of the sweeping new powers, $4.2m will be invested to offer support for victims who experienced sexual harm and abuse from another student – either online or in person – through Sexual Assault Services Victoria. The state budget also allocated $10.4m to expand the Positive Behaviour Support program, which teaches students appropriate behaviour, develops safe learning spaces and offers support for students who require behavioural assistance.
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7NEWS
8 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Three charged after Israeli restaurant Miznon allegedly targeted by protesters in Melbourne CBD
The owners of an Israeli restaurant that was targeted by protesters have broken their silence, detailing the 'profound impact' of the incident as police charge more people over it. The demonstration outside Miznon in Melbourne's CBD on Friday was one of several incidents targeting Melbourne's Jewish community in recent days, with protesters smashing a window, upending tables and throwing chairs. About 20 protesters converged on the restaurant, some chanting 'death to the IDF' in reference to the Israel Defence Force. Police on Tuesday charged a 50-year-old Richmond man, a 48-year-old Footscray woman and a 28-year-old Essendon woman with assault, affray, riotous behaviour and criminal damage after another person was arrested and then released for hindering police that night. The restaurant said the actions of a few had caused much distress to customers, patrons and staff in neighbouring restaurants. 'The events on Friday evening had a profound impact on our restaurant and staff,' the owners said in an Instagram post. 'We are a restaurant, a place of hospitality, of warmth and welcome ... we respect everyone's right to their own nationality and religion. We ask for the same.' The group Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance has taken responsibility for the protest, saying the venue was chosen because the owner was a spokesperson for an Israeli aid organisation that 'weaponised aid'. 'While politicians in so-called Australia clutch their pearls over one meal that was interrupted, we ask people to refocus their attention on Israel's genocidal reign of terror over the Palestinians,' the group said on Instagram. Victoria Police has rejected claims its officers were told not to confront the protesters at the restaurant and an independent officer will review the overall response. A state task force has been announced to tackle hate and examine police powers after a string of incidents including an arson on the East Melbourne Synagogue that forced 20 worshippers inside to flee. Sydney man Angelo Loras, 34, has been charged over the firebombing. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley visited the synagogue on Tuesday where she spoke to community members and inspected the damage. She urged the prime minister to convene a national cabinet meeting of state and territory policing authorities and wants the government to reveal its plans to protect Jewish Australians. Ley said she supported a national anti-hate unit but there had already been plenty of taskforces and talkfests. Anthony Albanese has flagged more action from his government as it works with a special envoy on anti-Semitism but pushed back against hosting a national cabinet. 'Let's be clear. What people want is not a meeting. They want action,' the prime minister told reporters in Hobart. Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion urged Victorian authorities to disallow weekly pro-Palestine protests in their current form and bring in protest zones. Premier Jacinta Allan labelled the weekly rally 'odious' but said protesting was part of democracy. Protest organisers stressed they were opposed to the Israeli occupation of Gaza and leaders needed to distinguish between the IDF and Australia's Jewish community. The Australian Palestine Advocacy Network condemned the 'smear' against peaceful protesters and rejected efforts to undermine protest by fixating on slogans while Israel bombs refugee camps and blocks food aid. The Jewish Council of Australia denounced the synagogue attack but said it was 'irresponsible and inflammatory' to link the anti-Semitic act with legitimate protests. Separate offenders on Saturday spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic 'inferences' then set them alight in the city's northeast, while a fourth incident involved offensive images spray-painted on pillars and walls near a Holocaust museum in Elsternwick.
The Advertiser
11 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Charges laid amid restaurant's distress over protest
The owners of an Israeli restaurant that was targeted by protesters have broken their silence, detailing the "profound impact" of the incident as police charge more people over the incident. The demonstration outside Miznon in Melbourne's CBD on Friday was one of several incidents targeting Melbourne's Jewish community in recent days, with protesters smashing a window, upending tables and throwing chairs. About 20 protesters converged on the restaurant, some chanting "death to the IDF" in reference to the Israel Defence Force. Police on Tuesday charged a 50-year-old Richmond man, a 48-year-old Footscray woman and a 28-year-old Essendon woman with assault, affray, riotous behaviour and criminal damage after another person was arrested and then released for hindering police that night. The restaurant said the actions of a few had caused much distress to customers, patrons and staff in neighbouring restaurants. "The events on Friday evening had a profound impact on our restaurant and staff," the owners said in an Instagram post. "We are a restaurant, a place of hospitality, of warmth and welcome ... we respect everyone's right to their own nationality and religion. We ask for the same." The group Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance has taken responsibility for the protest, saying the venue was chosen because the owner was a spokesperson for an Israeli aid organisation that "weaponised aid". "While politicians in so-called Australia clutch their pearls over one meal that was interrupted, we ask people to refocus their attention on Israel's genocidal reign of terror over the Palestinians," the group said on Instagram. Victoria Police has rejected claims its officers were told not to confront the protesters at the restaurant and an independent officer will review the overall response. A state task force has been announced to tackle hate and examine police powers after a string of incidents including an arson on the East Melbourne Synagogue that forced 20 worshippers inside to flee. Sydney man Angelo Loras, 34, has been charged over the firebombing. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley visited the synagogue on Tuesday where she spoke to community members and inspected the damage. She urged the prime minister to convene a national cabinet meeting of state and territory policing authorities and wants the government to reveal its plans to protect Jewish Australians. Ms Ley said she supported a national anti-hate unit but there had already been plenty of taskforces and talkfests. Anthony Albanese has flagged more action from his government as it works with a special envoy on anti-Semitism but pushed back against hosting a national cabinet. "Let's be clear. What people want is not a meeting. They want action," the prime minister told reporters in Hobart. Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion urged Victorian authorities to disallow weekly pro-Palestine protests in their current form and bring in protest zones. Premier Jacinta Allan labelled the weekly rally "odious" but said protesting was part of democracy. Protest organisers stressed they were opposed to the Israeli occupation of Gaza and leaders needed to distinguish between the IDF and Australia's Jewish community. The Australian Palestine Advocacy Network condemned the "smear" against peaceful protesters and rejected efforts to undermine protest by fixating on slogans while Israel bombs refugee camps and blocks food aid. The Jewish Council of Australia denounced the synagogue attack but said it was "irresponsible and inflammatory" to link the anti-Semitic act with legitimate protests. Separate offenders on Saturday spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic "inferences" then set them alight in the city's northeast, while a fourth incident involved offensive images spray-painted on pillars and walls near a Holocaust museum in Elsternwick. The owners of an Israeli restaurant that was targeted by protesters have broken their silence, detailing the "profound impact" of the incident as police charge more people over the incident. The demonstration outside Miznon in Melbourne's CBD on Friday was one of several incidents targeting Melbourne's Jewish community in recent days, with protesters smashing a window, upending tables and throwing chairs. About 20 protesters converged on the restaurant, some chanting "death to the IDF" in reference to the Israel Defence Force. Police on Tuesday charged a 50-year-old Richmond man, a 48-year-old Footscray woman and a 28-year-old Essendon woman with assault, affray, riotous behaviour and criminal damage after another person was arrested and then released for hindering police that night. The restaurant said the actions of a few had caused much distress to customers, patrons and staff in neighbouring restaurants. "The events on Friday evening had a profound impact on our restaurant and staff," the owners said in an Instagram post. "We are a restaurant, a place of hospitality, of warmth and welcome ... we respect everyone's right to their own nationality and religion. We ask for the same." The group Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance has taken responsibility for the protest, saying the venue was chosen because the owner was a spokesperson for an Israeli aid organisation that "weaponised aid". "While politicians in so-called Australia clutch their pearls over one meal that was interrupted, we ask people to refocus their attention on Israel's genocidal reign of terror over the Palestinians," the group said on Instagram. Victoria Police has rejected claims its officers were told not to confront the protesters at the restaurant and an independent officer will review the overall response. A state task force has been announced to tackle hate and examine police powers after a string of incidents including an arson on the East Melbourne Synagogue that forced 20 worshippers inside to flee. Sydney man Angelo Loras, 34, has been charged over the firebombing. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley visited the synagogue on Tuesday where she spoke to community members and inspected the damage. She urged the prime minister to convene a national cabinet meeting of state and territory policing authorities and wants the government to reveal its plans to protect Jewish Australians. Ms Ley said she supported a national anti-hate unit but there had already been plenty of taskforces and talkfests. Anthony Albanese has flagged more action from his government as it works with a special envoy on anti-Semitism but pushed back against hosting a national cabinet. "Let's be clear. What people want is not a meeting. They want action," the prime minister told reporters in Hobart. Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion urged Victorian authorities to disallow weekly pro-Palestine protests in their current form and bring in protest zones. Premier Jacinta Allan labelled the weekly rally "odious" but said protesting was part of democracy. Protest organisers stressed they were opposed to the Israeli occupation of Gaza and leaders needed to distinguish between the IDF and Australia's Jewish community. The Australian Palestine Advocacy Network condemned the "smear" against peaceful protesters and rejected efforts to undermine protest by fixating on slogans while Israel bombs refugee camps and blocks food aid. The Jewish Council of Australia denounced the synagogue attack but said it was "irresponsible and inflammatory" to link the anti-Semitic act with legitimate protests. Separate offenders on Saturday spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic "inferences" then set them alight in the city's northeast, while a fourth incident involved offensive images spray-painted on pillars and walls near a Holocaust museum in Elsternwick. The owners of an Israeli restaurant that was targeted by protesters have broken their silence, detailing the "profound impact" of the incident as police charge more people over the incident. The demonstration outside Miznon in Melbourne's CBD on Friday was one of several incidents targeting Melbourne's Jewish community in recent days, with protesters smashing a window, upending tables and throwing chairs. About 20 protesters converged on the restaurant, some chanting "death to the IDF" in reference to the Israel Defence Force. Police on Tuesday charged a 50-year-old Richmond man, a 48-year-old Footscray woman and a 28-year-old Essendon woman with assault, affray, riotous behaviour and criminal damage after another person was arrested and then released for hindering police that night. The restaurant said the actions of a few had caused much distress to customers, patrons and staff in neighbouring restaurants. "The events on Friday evening had a profound impact on our restaurant and staff," the owners said in an Instagram post. "We are a restaurant, a place of hospitality, of warmth and welcome ... we respect everyone's right to their own nationality and religion. We ask for the same." The group Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance has taken responsibility for the protest, saying the venue was chosen because the owner was a spokesperson for an Israeli aid organisation that "weaponised aid". "While politicians in so-called Australia clutch their pearls over one meal that was interrupted, we ask people to refocus their attention on Israel's genocidal reign of terror over the Palestinians," the group said on Instagram. Victoria Police has rejected claims its officers were told not to confront the protesters at the restaurant and an independent officer will review the overall response. A state task force has been announced to tackle hate and examine police powers after a string of incidents including an arson on the East Melbourne Synagogue that forced 20 worshippers inside to flee. Sydney man Angelo Loras, 34, has been charged over the firebombing. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley visited the synagogue on Tuesday where she spoke to community members and inspected the damage. She urged the prime minister to convene a national cabinet meeting of state and territory policing authorities and wants the government to reveal its plans to protect Jewish Australians. Ms Ley said she supported a national anti-hate unit but there had already been plenty of taskforces and talkfests. Anthony Albanese has flagged more action from his government as it works with a special envoy on anti-Semitism but pushed back against hosting a national cabinet. "Let's be clear. What people want is not a meeting. They want action," the prime minister told reporters in Hobart. Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion urged Victorian authorities to disallow weekly pro-Palestine protests in their current form and bring in protest zones. Premier Jacinta Allan labelled the weekly rally "odious" but said protesting was part of democracy. Protest organisers stressed they were opposed to the Israeli occupation of Gaza and leaders needed to distinguish between the IDF and Australia's Jewish community. The Australian Palestine Advocacy Network condemned the "smear" against peaceful protesters and rejected efforts to undermine protest by fixating on slogans while Israel bombs refugee camps and blocks food aid. The Jewish Council of Australia denounced the synagogue attack but said it was "irresponsible and inflammatory" to link the anti-Semitic act with legitimate protests. Separate offenders on Saturday spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic "inferences" then set them alight in the city's northeast, while a fourth incident involved offensive images spray-painted on pillars and walls near a Holocaust museum in Elsternwick. The owners of an Israeli restaurant that was targeted by protesters have broken their silence, detailing the "profound impact" of the incident as police charge more people over the incident. The demonstration outside Miznon in Melbourne's CBD on Friday was one of several incidents targeting Melbourne's Jewish community in recent days, with protesters smashing a window, upending tables and throwing chairs. About 20 protesters converged on the restaurant, some chanting "death to the IDF" in reference to the Israel Defence Force. Police on Tuesday charged a 50-year-old Richmond man, a 48-year-old Footscray woman and a 28-year-old Essendon woman with assault, affray, riotous behaviour and criminal damage after another person was arrested and then released for hindering police that night. The restaurant said the actions of a few had caused much distress to customers, patrons and staff in neighbouring restaurants. "The events on Friday evening had a profound impact on our restaurant and staff," the owners said in an Instagram post. "We are a restaurant, a place of hospitality, of warmth and welcome ... we respect everyone's right to their own nationality and religion. We ask for the same." The group Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance has taken responsibility for the protest, saying the venue was chosen because the owner was a spokesperson for an Israeli aid organisation that "weaponised aid". "While politicians in so-called Australia clutch their pearls over one meal that was interrupted, we ask people to refocus their attention on Israel's genocidal reign of terror over the Palestinians," the group said on Instagram. Victoria Police has rejected claims its officers were told not to confront the protesters at the restaurant and an independent officer will review the overall response. A state task force has been announced to tackle hate and examine police powers after a string of incidents including an arson on the East Melbourne Synagogue that forced 20 worshippers inside to flee. Sydney man Angelo Loras, 34, has been charged over the firebombing. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley visited the synagogue on Tuesday where she spoke to community members and inspected the damage. She urged the prime minister to convene a national cabinet meeting of state and territory policing authorities and wants the government to reveal its plans to protect Jewish Australians. Ms Ley said she supported a national anti-hate unit but there had already been plenty of taskforces and talkfests. Anthony Albanese has flagged more action from his government as it works with a special envoy on anti-Semitism but pushed back against hosting a national cabinet. "Let's be clear. What people want is not a meeting. They want action," the prime minister told reporters in Hobart. Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion urged Victorian authorities to disallow weekly pro-Palestine protests in their current form and bring in protest zones. Premier Jacinta Allan labelled the weekly rally "odious" but said protesting was part of democracy. Protest organisers stressed they were opposed to the Israeli occupation of Gaza and leaders needed to distinguish between the IDF and Australia's Jewish community. The Australian Palestine Advocacy Network condemned the "smear" against peaceful protesters and rejected efforts to undermine protest by fixating on slogans while Israel bombs refugee camps and blocks food aid. The Jewish Council of Australia denounced the synagogue attack but said it was "irresponsible and inflammatory" to link the anti-Semitic act with legitimate protests. Separate offenders on Saturday spray-painted cars with anti-Semitic "inferences" then set them alight in the city's northeast, while a fourth incident involved offensive images spray-painted on pillars and walls near a Holocaust museum in Elsternwick.
Sky News AU
11 hours ago
- Sky News AU
‘At what cost?': Victorian opposition dismisses poll showing support for Suburban Rail Loop warning the project is a ‘debt bomb'
The Victorian opposition has dismissed polling showing a majority of Victorians support a major Allan government infrastructure project, describing it as a 'debt bomb'. Newspoll results released on Tuesday show a massive 78 per cent of Victorians are fairly worried or very worried about the state's skyrocketing debt levels – which are set to hit $194 billion by 2028-29. However the poll also found 59 per cent of Victorians backed the controversial multi-stage Suburban Rail Loop project, the first stage of which is set to cost more than $34 billion. Opposition Leader Brad Battin dismissed the findings on Tuesday afternoon, telling reporters the question lacked key context. 'It depends on what question you ask. If I said to people, would you like to see a rail loop that goes all the way around Melbourne, they'd say yes. But if I said to you, it's at the cost of the next generations ever getting infrastructure, they'd say no,' Mr Battin said. The comment was echoed by shadow major projects minister Evan Mulholland, who said everyone liked a train, "but they don't like a debt bomb". "A debt bomb is what the Suburban Rail Loop is,' Mr Mulholland added. 'It's Victorians, particularly in the eastern suburbs, but everywhere that will be paying for the suburban rail loop for generations.' Mr Mulholland said the Victorian Liberals and Nationals wanted more new rail, but priority should be given to electrifying rail in outer suburban growth areas. 'It's people in the growth areas, places like Donnybrook and Wallen in my electorate, and Wyndham Vale and Melton that desperately need electrified rail,' he said. 'And we know the government sitting on a secret report which shows that these communities, within five years, are going to be facing crushed conditions where V-Line trains are going to have to skip stations because the government hasn't planned the infrastructure where it is urgent. 'We want electrified rail where it's needed for all Victorians, because you've got people living in third-world conditions in our growth areas. Our fellow Victorians that are suffering, that do not have public transport access where it's needed.' Mr Battin said that in just four years Victoria would be spending $1.2 million every hour in interest on the debt. 'That's more than $10 billion each and every year,' he said. 'That's nearly twice what we spend on Victoria Police during a crime crisis. It's just under what we spend in health during a health crisis. It's more than we spend on education here in Victoria. How can the government justify putting so much money into one project?' The Allan government is yet to outline how it will fund the SRL East - the first of three stages on the project, which will see trains run between Cheltenham and Box Hill. The Victorian government has committed just $11.8 billion towards the project with the Albanese government committing just $2.2 billion, leaving an almost $20 billion black hole – with the Allan government claiming a third of the funding will come from value capture. The multi-stage orbital train line was estimated to cost $50 billion when it was proposed by then-Premier Daniel Andrews ahead of the 2018 state election. However costs have since doubled, with a 2024 report by the Parliamentary Budget Office estimating it will cost $96.4 billion to build the SRL East and SRL North sections of the project. SRL East, which is already being constructed, will see trains running from Cheltenham to Box Hill, with stops in Clayton, Monash, Glen Waverley and Burwood – thereby connecting the Frankston, Pakenham/Cranbourne, Glen Waverley and Lilydale/Belgrade train lines. SRL North will then see this extended from Box Hill to Melbourne Airport, with stops in Doncaster, Heidelberg, Bundoora, Reservoir, Fawkner, and Broadmeadows – connecting the Lilydale/Belgrade line with the Hurstbridge, Mernda, Upfield and Craigieburn lines. The line will then connect to the long-awaited Melbourne airport rail link, which will run from Sunshine to the Airport via Keilor East, with a final SRL West section connecting Werribee to Sunshine.
