A Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic has strongly criticised new powers for Victorian police which could be used to ban people from public protests.

The changes to the Summary Offences Bill give Victorian police officers further grounds to direct people to 'move on' if police believe them to be 'impeding lawful access to premises'.

CSU philosopher Dr Piero Moraro said it was the potential flow-on effect of the new powers that was of greatest concern..

"Police already can, and do, arrest protesters," he said.

"Activists who breach the law in civil disobedience are still breaching the law, and the police have the right to apprehend them.

"It is then crucial to understand what 'new' feature these legal changes will introduce into the state.

"Under the changes, if an individual receives three move-on orders in six months, or five in 12 months, police will be able to apply for an exclusion order, completely banning the individual from a public area.

"Breaching an exclusion order will be punishable by up to two years' jail.

"This means citizens will not be allowed to protest anymore.

"The Victorian Government aims to treat activists in the same way the United Kingdom deals with hooligans, by issuing Anti Social Behaviour Orders.

"This is particularly shocking as it happens at the same time as the new Australian Human Rights Commissioner, Tim Wilson supports Federal government plans to repeal section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act."

Section 18C makes it illegal to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or a group on the basis of their race, colour or national or ethnic origin. There are certain defences in section 18D of the Act.

"The new Commissioner argues the repeal is necessary to preserve people's right to free speech and to challenge 'the status quo'. Yet, he has not been as vocal when asked to comment on Victoria's proposed new law, simply granting that it appears to be 'excessive', Dr Moraro said.

Dr Moraro, is a lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at CSU in Bathurst. He is a moral and political philosopher, researching mainly in the area of democracy and political obligation. Dr Moraro is also member of the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics.