Anti-vaxxer and anti-lockdown activist Monica Smit charged with incitement

A former reality TV wannabe turned vocal anti-vaxxer has made a shock decision in court after she was granted bail for allegedly inciting protests.

A former reality TV wannabe turned vocal anti-vaxxer who is accused of inciting violent protests in Melbourne has been granted bail but in a spectacular twist refused to sign a document to secure her release.

Monica Smit, who founded the Reignite Democracy Australia movement, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court via video link on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old was granted bail on strict conditions after she was charged with two counts of incitement in relation to protests held in Melbourne on August 11 and August 21 during the state’s sixth lockdown.

But in a shock twist her defence lawyer Marcel White told the court Ms Smit was unwilling to sign the undertaking of bail where she would agree to follow the conditions.

Monica Smit refused to sign an undertaking for bail after she was charged with incitement offences.

“Ms Smit is unwilling to sign an undertaking … it appears at this stage that’s the course she wants to adopt,” Mr White said.

Bail conditions magistrate Luisa Bazzani imposed included barring Ms Smit from publishing anything that could incite breaches of the health orders.

She was also ordered to follow a court-imposed curfew between 7pm and 6am and remove any material that incited opposition to the health officer’s directions within 48 hours.

“I do wish I’d known before we spent all this time on bail that your client was intending to refuse to sign a bail order,” Ms Bazzani said.

At least 4000 people went to the August 21 rally held in the Melbourne CBD, and Ms Smit is alleged to have encouraged people to attend the protests through authoring and transmitting posts on the encrypted Telegram app, prosecutor Anthony Albore told the court.

Anti-vaxxer Monica Smit speaks to followers outside Greg Hunt’s electoral office in Somerville. Picture: Wayne Taylor

He said she shared the messages through Telegram on the Reignite Democracy Australia chat to incite her followers to breach directions.

“I suggest wearing masks to any events this weekend. Wear them until you’re in a big group and then take them off. It’s not cowardice it’s smart,” one message sent to the chat group on August 18 reads.

The magistrate said police officers were injured and taken to a hospital as a result of the protests and they were labelled as “one of the most violent” demonstrations in 20 years.

Up to 90 people attended the event at Flinders Street Station on August 11, Mr Albore said.

Monica Smit has spoken out at anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown protests including at Fawkner Park. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

“We’re not just protesting lockdown, we’re celebrating freedom. Let’s have a party, bring something that makes noise,” one of the posts shared ahead of the August 11 read.

In a post after the protest Ms Smit allegedly wrote: “The protest WASN’T a flop … the police just upped their game … THE PEOPLE WERE THERE.”

According to court documents, police allege these posts showed the intent of Ms Smit to incite a “mass protest and unlawful gathering” in breach of the strict health measures in place.

The Pakenham woman is also charged with three counts of contravening the chief health officer’s directions.

Prosecutors told the court there was no opposition to granting Ms Smit bail if she was ordered to follow strict conditions.

Ms Smit shot to prominence in October 2020 when she sponsored a bus that drove around Melbourne calling for Premier Daniel Andrews to be sacked.

She has spoken to large crowds at several of the rallies, including one held in Fawkner Park on February 20 this year and seven days later at a demonstration outside federal Health Minister Greg Hunt’s office in Somerville.

Both of those events were not held when Victoria was in lockdown.

Ms Smit, who has been a vocal critic of Mr Andrews throughout the pandemic, auditioned to be a contestant on Survivor in 2017.

Monica Smit in front of one of her anti-vax billboards in Geelong. Picture: Mark Wilson

She used to design and sell houses for a living and had a career in sales before trying her hand at citizen journalism during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ms Smit will remain on remand unless she signs the bail undertaking and will to return to court in November.

Originally published as Anti-vaxxer and anti-lockdown activist Monica Smit charged with incitement