Australia’s Victoria state will set up a anti-hate task force to help frame laws giving police more powers to tackle violent protests, as it probes a suspected arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue when worshippers were inside, it says.

Australian police have charged a man in connection with an alleged arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue with worshippers in the building, the latest in a series of incidents targeting the nation's Jewish community.

Victoria state in Australia is establishing a task force to create laws empowering police against violent protests following an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue. The aim is to curtail antisemitism and bolster community safety,