Victorian Inquiry to Investigate Far-Right 'Manosphere' Influence in Homophobic Assaults
Victorian Greens MP Aiv Puglielli has announced a parliamentary inquiry will scrutinise the operations of online influencers who disseminate far-right, misogynistic, and homophobic 'alpha male' content. This initiative follows a series of 'disturbing' attacks targeting gay and bisexual men, with victims often lured through fake profiles on dating applications before being assaulted.
Scope and Motivation of the Inquiry
Puglielli, serving as the Greens' equality spokesperson, will move a motion in the upper house to direct the legal and social issues committee to investigate the scale of these crimes, evaluate the state's current response mechanisms, and assess the support available to victims. The inquiry aims to address what Puglielli described as a 'terrifying' trend of attacks recorded and shared on social media platforms across multiple states and territories since 2024.
Victoria Police confirmed that, as of October 2024, 35 individuals had been arrested in connection with such incidents. Most alleged offenders, aged between 13 and 20, utilised deceptive dating app profiles to entice victims, leading to assaults, robberies, threats, and homophobic abuse. A police spokesperson emphasised that such behaviour has no place in society and urged victims to report directly to law enforcement rather than solely to app platforms.
Links to Online Radicalisation
Guardian Australia has reported that anti-LGBTQ+ influencers have been promoting 'methods of attack' online, with cases revealing perpetrators inspired by vigilante-style videos on platforms like TikTok. During the June 2025 sentencing of a 19-year-old Victorian man who assaulted two individuals met via Grindr, the court heard he admitted to police that such content motivated his actions.
Puglielli asserted that the inquiry will explore how these influencers operate digitally and develop strategies to protect young people from their messaging. He alleged that many perpetrators, often very young men, have been 'groomed and radicalised by far-right manosphere influencers,' describing this as 'dark-corner-of-the-internet stuff' that evolves faster than legislative responses can adapt.
Expected Outcomes and Political Support
The motion is anticipated to pass with backing from MPs of the Legalise Cannabis and Animal Justice parties, as well as the Labor government. Negotiations between the Greens and Labor were ongoing to finalise the inquiry's terms of reference, which may include summoning dating app representatives, policymakers, and police officials to testify. Puglielli noted that the inquiry could extend recommendations to the Commonwealth if issues fall outside state jurisdiction.
Under the proposed terms, the committee would be required to report by 1 September, allowing the government sufficient time to respond before the caretaker period preceding the November state election. Puglielli stressed that complexity should not hinder action, stating, 'As a queer person and as a member of parliament, I don't have all the answers, but complexity can't be an excuse to ignore the problem.'
Police reiterated the importance of victims coming forward, assuring that reports can be made at any time to ensure justice and support are provided effectively.
