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.

Investigators are also establishing whether there are any links to the recent arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne's east, but no connections have been identified so far. Anybody with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online .