The independent Victorian senator Lidia Thorpe has criticised a decision by police to expand search powers across inner Melbourne for six months, describing the move as “outrageous” and likely to lead to racial profiling.
Victoria police on Tuesday declared the CBD – along with parts of Docklands, Southbank, the sporting and entertainment precinct, East Melbourne and South Melbourne – as a “designated area” from Sunday until 29 May 2026.
