Victoria looks to boost race-hate laws

Victoria will strengthen its own race-hate laws if the federal government is successful in amending section 18c of the Racial Discrimination Act.

The Turnbull government is seeking to have the words "offend, insult and humiliate" changed to "harass and intimidate", making claims harder to prove.

Victoria's Multicultural Affairs Minister Robin Scott condemned the changes.

"We will review Victoria's Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 to consider ways to strengthen legislative protections, should the federal coalition be successful with their amendments," he said in a statement.