Vic premier quashes push for NSW-style protest permits

Pro-transgender protesters clashed with police on Saturday after trying to get closer to an anti-transgender rally on the steps of parliament.

Two women were arrested and are expected to be charged on summons.

Ms Allan described the scenes as unacceptable but said Victoria Police already have enough powers when asked if the government would support introducing a permit system.

"I have a range of discussions with the chief commissioner about a range of different matters," she told reporters on Monday.

"In terms of when some of these protest activities turn violent, Victoria Police already have the tools that they need to arrest people, to move on people."

In NSW, organisers must give notice to the state's police commissioner before staging a rally, demonstration or protest.

They can challenge NSW police's decision in court if they oppose the gathering.

Police Association of Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt said a similar system in Victoria could prevent protests and counter-protests being staged at the same location at the same time.

"It just doesn't make sense to put the far extremes of the same argument separated by a thin blue line of police officers who sadly are stuck in the middle of violent scenes time and time again," he told ABC Radio Melbourne.

But Ms Allan was equally adamant a Victorian permit system would not stop protests from becoming violent and could create an "unwieldy and time-consuming process" for police and the courts.

"It does not give a guarantee that each and every event would be undertaken peacefully," she said.

Australian Associated Press