source : the age
Police have been granted special powers under terrorism legislation in preparation for the visit to Melbourne on Thursday of Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
The powers allow police to stop and search vehicles or people in public places, seize items and detain people as a preventative measure. They will apply to specific areas Herzog intends to visit and are not designed to impact on a planned protest.
Victoria Police deputy commissioner Bob Hill stressed there was no intelligence suggesting a specific threat, but they had sought additional powers as a preventative measure.
“We want to be clear that there is no intelligence at this time to suggest that the event is the target of any specific threat,” he said.
“However, we are well prepared for both the visit and any protest activity this week, and have adequate police resources available to provide an agile response to any incidents.”
Hill said a significant police operation was underway to ensure Herzog’s visit was safe for him, the protesters, community and members of the force.
“Significant planning has been undertaken and a number of police, including a range of specialist resources, will be dedicated to the event to ensure the highest level of safety and security for all involved.”
Police said they were aware of a planned protest in the CBD on Thursday afternoon, but they were not expecting any “significant public order issues”.
The rally is scheduled to begin at 5pm with protesters marching from Flinders Street Station to Parliament House in Spring Street.
“Monday’s protest in Melbourne was largely peaceful, and the majority of the crowd was well behaved,” Hill said. “At this time, we are expecting Thursday’s protests to be the same.
“Again, our number-one aim is to ensure the safety of all involved and we will be working with all parties to make sure that’s the case.”
More to come
