⚠ VOTE EXPECTED AS SOON AS THURSDAY 13 AUGUST. EMAIL YOUR MP NOW →
⚠ VOTE EXPECTED AS SOON AS THURSDAY 13 AUGUST
What Is The Associations Incorporation Reform Amendment Bill 2026?
On 11 August 2026 the Carroll Labor Government introduced the Associations Incorporation Reform Amendment Bill 2026 into the Legislative Assembly. It rewrites the rules under which every incorporated association in Victoria – more than 30,000 clubs, charities, unions and community groups – is allowed to exist.
Labor is selling it as a simple crackdown on “fake unions” and hate groups. Read the Bill itself and a much broader power shows up: a discretionary “public interest” test that can be used to refuse or cancel the registration of any association, whether or not it has anything to do with hate speech or terrorism at all.
“Stopping workers being scammed and stamping out hate.” The Bill targets so-called ‘Red Unions’ posing as community associations and blocks hate groups from getting legal status.
– Media release, Premier of Victoria, 12 August 2026
Clause 6 / Clause 9: The Registrar of Incorporated Associations gets a new discretionary ground to refuse registration – “circumstances exist which, in the public interest, justify the refusal” – on top of, and separate from, the terrorist-organisation and hate-group provisions.
Clause 11: The same broad “public interest” test can be used to wind up an already-operating association.
Clause 9(5): If an association is refused because it has an “industrial relations purpose,” the ordinary VCAT review is switched off. The only appeal left is the Supreme Court – slow and expensive for a volunteer-run community group.
Sourced directly from the Bill and Explanatory Memorandum (Associations Incorporation Reform Amendment Bill 2026, introduced 11 August 2026) and the Victorian Government media release of 12 August 2026.
Five Reasons This Bill Should Worry Every Victorian
It kills Freedom of Association - It takes away workers’ choice
Workers should be free to choose who represents them. This Bill could shut down independent, non-Labor-aligned unions such as Red Union, taking that choice away from Victorian workers. A government approved union is no union at all!
One bureaucrat gets the power to shut groups down
The Bill gives the Registrar broad power to decide whether an organisation is in the “public interest.” That power isn’t just aimed at hate or terrorist groups – it can apply to ordinary associations and community groups too.
Fighting the decision could cost a fortune
For some decisions under this Bill, organisations won’t be able to simply appeal to VCAT. Their remaining legal option may be going to the Supreme Court – something many small unions and community groups simply can’t afford.
Labor is rushing it through Parliament
The Bill was introduced on 11 August, with a vote expected as early as 13 August. That’s barely 48 hours to properly examine laws that could affect thousands of Victorian clubs, charities, unions and community organisations.
Once this power exists, it can be used again
This isn’t just about Red Union or the groups Labor is targeting today. Once these powers become law, they remain available to future governments and Registrars — and the next target could be another union, charity, sporting club or advocacy group.
A note on what’s not in the Bill
To be fair to the drafting: the “listed terrorist organisation” and “prohibited hate group” grounds are tightly defined – they only apply to groups already specified in Commonwealth Criminal Code regulations, with disallowance and legal-challenge periods built in. Turning Point Australia’s objection is not to banning organisations that meet that high bar. It’s to the separate, much broader “public interest” and “industrial relations purpose” powers riding alongside it in the same Bill.
What Happens Next
Associations Incorporation Reform Amendment Bill 2026 introduced in the Legislative Assembly.
Government media release frames the Bill purely as an anti-scam, anti-hate measure.
A vote could be called with minimal debate. Once it clears the Assembly, it moves to the Legislative Council - where Labor does not hold a majority on its own and crossbench votes decide the outcome.
This is the window to reach both your local Assembly member and your five regional Legislative Council members before the numbers are locked in.
Take Action Right Now
It takes two minutes. Use our email tool to personalise generate a message below, and send it from your own email – direct, personal messages from constituents carry far more weight than form-letter petitions.
Email Your Local MP & Legislative Council Members
The fight isn't over. Stay informed.
Thanks for taking an interest in this campaign. We ask that you subscribe to our mailing list to stay informed and be ready to take action where it counts. Remember, the power of the people is always greater than the people in power. Subscribe to our news.
