Melbourne CBD traders warned to brace for 30,000 strong Invasion Day protest, protesters vow to target AO men’s singles final

Australia Day protesters have been slammed for vowing to target the Australian Open men’s singles final in a move Jacinta Allan says would “break the patience of the public”.

Jacinta Allan has hit out at protesters plotting to target the Australian Open on Sunday, calling such plans “disgusting”.

The Premier urged people wanting to stir trouble on Australia Day to steer clear of the tennis tournament.

“To target the Australian Open would be a disgusting act,” she said.

“That would really break the patience of the public.”

Police are bracing for a mass convergence of anti-Australia Day and pro-Palestinian protesters in the city on Sunday.

Police are bracing for a mass convergence of anti-Australia Day and pro-Palestinian protesters in the city on Sunday. Picture: Supplied

Police say a separate smaller pro-Australia Day protest is planned for outside the tennis.

“Police have engaged with the event organisers; and they have provided information around their plans,” a police spokeswoman said.

Ms Allan maintained Victoria Police was equipped with the tools and resources they needed to handle large protests.

She said police would not hesitate to arrest people who become violent at protests.

“Let’s be clear, Victoria Police are operationally ready. They will be there in large numbers,” she said.

“No one should be using that right to peacefully protest and going in with the intent to cause violence.”

Ms Allan said she will be attending official Australia Day events on Sunday.

But she acknowledged that it was a “difficult day” for some people.

“I think we can all find space in our hearts to respect that, to understand that,” she said.

“Respect also goes both ways. We’ve got to make sure that for those who want to acknowledge the day in their own way have the space to do that.”

Melbourne is the protest capital of Australia. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

City traders are bracing for a mass Australia Day protest that risks shutting down Melbourne’s CBD and disrupting the men’s singles final at the Australian Open.

Business owners say they have been told to take steps to secure venues and staff, amid concerns more than 30,000 people could take to the streets.

Police are planning for a convergence of anti-Australia Day and pro-Palestinian protesters they expect will march through the city to Melbourne Park on Sunday.

“Victoria Police is aware of a planned protest outside Melbourne Park on January 26,” a spokesman said.

“Police have engaged with the event organisers, and they have provided information around their plans. Officers will be highly visible in the area on the day.”

Opposition Leader Brad Battin slammed the “hateful protests” he said risked dividing the community.

“Australia Day should be a day where we all come together to celebrate what we have in common and the great fortune we all have to live in the greatest country in the world,” he said.

“However this Australia Day weekend, instead of unity our city will be divided and disrupted. Thousands of protesters are planning to cause mayhem in the city, businesses have been told they can’t be protected, and it’s all being led by an ­organisation funded by Premier Jacinta Allan’s own department.

“These endless hateful protests are a direct result of Labor’s weak leadership and inaction, which has allowed hate and division to fester in our once-harmonious city.”

This year’s Australia Day protest risks disrupting the men’s singles final at the Australian Open. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Prominent restaurateur Chris Lucas said the protest risked damaging Melbourne’s reputation as the events and sporting capital of Australia.

“While everyone is entitled to express their democratic rights, I really do feel that these activists have gone well beyond what most people would consider reasonable or acceptable,” he said.

“It’s now gotten to where our leaders must take action to bring these dangerous attacks on our democratic freedoms to an end. Otherwise our reputation as a city will be damaged irreparably.”

Tennis Australia has been working with Victoria Police ahead of the protest, which risks being broadcast internationally if it affects the event.

A spokesman for Tennis Australia and Melbourne and Olympic Park Trust said it was working with police to “ensure that planned protest activity does not impact the tournament”.

Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association chief Wes Lambert said: “This Sunday is one of the biggest trading days of the year, being the holiday weekend and the Australian Open finals. We are calling on the state government to take immediate action to stop these rallies once and for all.”

Lord Mayor Nick Reece says the council will work closely with Victoria Police. Picture: David Caird

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry acting chief, Chanelle Pearson, said now was the time to regulate protest activity.

“With the world’s attention fixed on Melbourne and Victoria for the Australian Open finals, the business community should be relishing the economic opportunity that the grand slam brings, not being cautioned about yet another disruption to their operations, trade, staff and customers,” she said.

“There are numerous other ways that protestors can express their views that allow city businesses to operate in a disruption-free environment during one of the busiest weekends of the year: there is no reason why the opinions of some groups need to – regularly and consistently – impact the livelihoods of others, in this case city businesses.

“Our state’s business community has worked hard to help us to earn the enviable reputation as a capital for sports, a capital for food, a capital for events, a capital for creativity and a capital for fashion. That hard work is all jeopardised if our reputation becomes the capital for protests.

“The cost of policing these protests is now likely to be up around $50m, and given the debt position our state is in we can’t afford for this to continue.

“A welcome solution would be the establishment of a regulated, designated space for protest activities which doesn’t impede roads, footpaths and entrances to allow our small businesses to trade. A permanent solution is well overdue – one that ensures voices can be heard without undermining Melbourne’s standing as world-class city.”

Lord Mayor Nick Reece said council would work closely with Victoria Police.

“Everyone has the right to protest peacefully – and we ask them to do so respectfully,” he said.

“I acknowledge there is a lot of protest fatigue. I hear it every day from local traders and residents who live in the city. People are fed up.

“We know this is a huge weekend for Melbourne and its businesses, with hundreds of thousands of visitors flocking to the city for the Australian Open and other events.

“As always, we work closely with Victoria Police to ensure everyone is safe and able to enjoy themselves across the city.”

Originally published as Melbourne CBD traders warned to brace for 30,000 strong Invasion Day protest, protesters vow to target AO men’s singles final