Expanded weapon search powers will be put to the test as police prepare for possible clashes between anti-immigration demonstrators and counter-protesters.
Melbourne’s CBD will have a heavy police presence on Sunday as protesters take to the streets on the same day the Metro Tunnel officially opens.
Victoria Police Superintendent Troy Papworth expects thousands to attend the protest, warning that officers will remain on high alert for potential threats.
It is also expected that the UK’s controversial far-right campaigner Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, will speak at the anti-immigration rally remotely.
Police will be given expanded weapon search powers, which allows officers to search and seize weapons without a warrant.
The powers allow officers to establish designated areas where police can search people as they pass through, Supt Papworth said.
It comes after counter-protesters clashed with police during a similar demonstration on October 19.
Police were confronted by protesters hurling rocks, bottles, broken glass and rotten fruit, with two officers taken to hospital.
A female sergeant whose hand was broken and a male senior constable whose leg was gashed have since returned to work.
"The counter-protest group has targeted police before and has been violent towards police before. We've seen that play out on the 19th of October," Supt Papworth told reporters on Friday.
"You've heard from police on that day how fed up we were with the behaviour of aspects of the protest crowd on that day and the violence they displayed towards police and the community."
At least three people have been charged following the October protests, including a 21-year-old man and 56-year-old man.
The pair were bailed to appear before court in May.
Investigators are trying to identify other alleged offenders, releasing images of six more people they want to speak with, many wearing masks.
Supt Papworth warned that there will be zero tolerance for violence during this weekend’s protests.
"I am frustrated by having to keep coming back and keep asking people to behave at a protest," he said.
"If you come out and do this, you're not going to get away, you're going to get caught."
Victoria's Labor government has introduced laws allowing police to order protesters to remove masks if they are committing, or about to commit, a criminal offence.
The legislation is expected to be debated in the state's upper house next week.
