Staff Writer
Melbourne is bracing for its fourth day of anti-vaccination protests, with groups claiming to represent disaffected nurses and teachers allegedly planning to join protests on Thursday.
By Thursday mid-morning, mounted police were positioning outside the CFMEU’s Elizabeth Street offices. There was also a substantial police presence around the Queen Victoria Markets.
Protests have rocked Melbourne since Monday when a group mainly comprising construction workers hurled abuse and projectiles over mandatory vaccination rules for industry workers.
Since then, other groups have joined the construction workers. Ostensibly a protest against mandatory vaccinations, many protesters are frustrated over extended lockdowns and perceived Victorian Government over-reach.
On Tuesday, hundreds of protestors walked onto the Westgate Freeway, closing Australia’s busiest roadway and causing traffic gridlock.
“We won’t tolerate the city being held to ransom,” said Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton on Thursday.
Protestor numbers on Wednesday were estimated to number between 400 and 600. A mid-morning earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale and centred just outside Melbourne may have kept numbers down.
“We would hope that common sense is starting to prevail, and they are starting to reflect on their conduct and what the public sentiment is towards these people who are doing this,” said Commissioner Patton.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has also condemned the protestors, saying a construction industry dispute had been hijacked and exploited by fringe groups.
According to media reports, closed Telegram chat groups are agitating for protests on Thursday. Organisers say disgruntled workers from other industries are planning on joining. While the focus so far has been on the construction industry, the number of protestors wearing freshly shop-bought high-vis gear has raised eyebrows.
On Thursday, protesters are being encouraged to leave the high-vis clothing at home and adopt a more “sophisticated” look. Protestors were originally due to converge at the CFMEU’s offices at 10:00am on Thursday.
“Everyone start turning up in suits, shirts, ties, dress shoes. Look smart, look sophisticated,” one organiser is saying.
There are also claims nurses will turn up in scrubs. But the Victorian Branch of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation has called out the “pointless violence” and supported police efforts.
“We condemn those who created fake protest posters using our name, incorrectly, to create fraudulent legitimacy,” says Federation Secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick.
The CFMEU, whose offices were damaged on Monday, says it supports freedom of choice regarding vaccinations. The union says keeping the industry working is its priority, but adds;
“We are not going to be intimidated by outside extremists attempting to intimidate the union by spreading misinformation and lies about the union’s position.”
Aside from police sirens, Melbourne remains quiet into Thursday lunchtime. The heavy police presence outside the CFMEU office may be deterring protestors. However, the free-flowing nature of the protests and the use of closed online social media apps may mean protestors will regroup elsewhere in the city later on Thursday.
