Police will monitor the comments of controversial anti-Islamic Dutch MP Geert Wilders as he faces possible unruly protests in Melbourne tomorrow.
Mr Wilders, who opposes the so-called “Islamisation” of Europe, had been booked to speak at a CBD venue tomorrow night.
But it is understood his meeting will now be held in the outer suburbs after the venue’s owners cancelled amid fears of trouble from hard Left protesters.
Victorian Multicultural Commission chairman Chin Tan said Mr Wilders faced possible prosecution under the state’s racial and religious hatred laws if his comments were out of line.
“He’s entitled to his views, as anyone is in Australia ... but he’s got to be very careful that he does not take it beyond the point where it traverses the law of this country and the expectations and what we here in Australia value,” he said.
“To the extent that he might may say something or in a particular manner that has legal implications, I’m sure someone or the police may take it up.”
State Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Minister Nick Kotsiras said his department would not be monitoring Mr Wilders’ comments, but the Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission would respond to any complaints.
“I support freedom of speech, but with freedom comes responsibility,” he said.
“He is wrong, he is misinformed... he should speak to people at the grassroots level to find out exactly how all religions can work together in peace and harmony.”
A coalition of religious and multicultural groups have issued a statement in support of Victorian multiculturalism on the eve of Mr Wilders’ public appearance in Melbourne.
Groups including the multicultural commission, the Victorian Council of Churches, the Islamic Council of Victoria and the equal opportunity commission have said they welcome challenging ideas and debate, but that “inciting hatred and animosity towards specific cultural or faith-based communities has no place in Victoria”.
Islamic Council board member Mohamad Tabaa said that Mr Wilders did not reflect the views of most Australians and his Freedom Party was losing support in the Netherlands.
“We think Australians are quite reasonable and that they will see through his speech for what it is,” he said.
Mr Tabaa said the Islamic Council was not endorsing or organising any protests against the MP.
Leftist groups have been using social media to plan protests.