Truck drivers begin protest action over vaccines, borders, lockdown on Gold Coast highway

An anti-lockdown protestor has labelled a television news reporter a proponent of ‘fake news’ live on air amid a truck driver demonstration.

An anti-lockdown protestor, supporting a rally by truck drivers against mandatory vaccines, has accused a TV reporter live on air of spreading “fake news”.

On Monday morning, Today reporter Jessica Millward was at Reedy Creek on the Gold Coast, where truckies had converged in a sign of solidarity against Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions.

While posing a question to a woman holding a sign reading “Freedom is not a privilege. It’s a right” Millward was cut off.

“I want to get my message across, absolutely,” the woman said.

“So what are you going to report on this morning, the fake news?”

An anti-lockdown protestor being interviewed by Today's Jessica Millward calls the media 'fake news' at Monday's truck protest.

Back in the studio, host Karl Stefanovic praised Millward for “remaining calm”.

The same protestor stood beside Sunrise’s Bianca Stone moments later.

The protest resulted in lengthy delays during Monday morning peak hour. Picture: 9News

Truck drivers blocked the Reedy Creek exit on the M1 during peak hour on Monday, and were supported by outspoken Senator Pauline Hanson.

But just over an hour after they began, Hanson dismissed the group following threats from police to bring in tow trucks to remove the rigs.

The truck drivers headed south of the border to Chinderah to resume their action.

The demonstration comes one day ahead of a planned national protest, borne out of fury towards a vaccine mandate for drivers from 12 local government areas in Sydney, and for any essential workers travelling into Queensland.

Truckies blocked the M1 in protest against lockdowns and mandatory vaccinations. Picture: Channel 9

As of August 30, authorised workers from Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta, Strathfield and some suburbs of Penrith cannot leave their LGA unless they have received one dose of the vaccine.

Roadside protestors were rallying with drivers against mandatory vaccination. Picture: 9News

Around the country, truck drivers must be tested every few days.

However, drivers say they have a right to choice and the freedom to work without the mandates.

Traffic backed up for kilometres on M1 southbound near Reedy Creek. Truckies blockading the motorway protesting vaccinations, lockdowns and COVID closures @[e-mail]/24jkJE16vo

— Maegan Gillespie (@meggillespie9) August 29, 2021

“End all lockdowns. People can go back to work and kids can go back to school … We’ve had enough of it,” driver Brock said in a TikTok livestream from the protest.

“It’s all about choice at the end of the day. If you don’t want to get the vax, don’t. If you do want to get it, get it. But don’t keep locking up people.

“It had to happen now. People need to push back.”

Protest over. Truckies have moved on. Expect very long delays while traffic clears @TheTodayShowpic.twitter.com/Zv4AKATc6m

— Jess Millward (@JessMillward9) August 29, 2021

Senator Hanson was at the protest in a show of solidarity.

Motorists were being urged to seek alternate routes.

The protest came after drivers last week urged Australians to stock up on food for “the next week or two” ahead of the planned protests.

Organisers of the protests vowed to shut the country down with supply disruptions.

The Transport Workers Union said the protests weren’t sanctioned by the organisation, but it could understand why truck drivers were “fed up”.

TWU national secretary Michael Kaine last week told NCA NewsWire truck drivers “have been the backbone” of the Covid-19 response.

“They are angry for a legitimate reason,” he said.

Originally published as Truck drivers begin protest action over vaccines, borders, lockdown on Gold Coast highway