Ballarat councillor Tracey Hargreaves speaks about her attendance at Ballarat protest

The Ballarat councillor who attended a protest demanding Daniel Andrews be jailed has responded to questions about why she was there, blasting claims she was “slapping” small business in the face.

Ballarat councillor Tracey Hargreaves at the weekend protest. Photo: Tony Goodfellow

A Ballarat councillor has broken her silence over attending a “freedom” protest in Ballarat that demanded Daniel Andrews be jailed.

Councillor Tracey Hargreaves was spotted in the crowd of protesters marching through town on Sunday.

In a statement on her social media page, Ms Hargreaves said she would not be revealing her vaccination status, but she decided to attend the protest because she wanted “to check it out” for herself.

“I walked one block with my nine-year-old son, then spent about an hour in the skate park where it finished,” she said.

“Although not acting in a council capacity whatsoever I spoke with several people from Ballarat and they ranged in age, gender, life situation and reasons for being there.”

Ms Hargreaves said she had been accused of “slapping Ballarat small businesses in the face” by attending.

“Which is ironic since in addition to being a local small business owner I am a huge supporter of buying and spending locally wherever possible,” she said.

“Being in business is tough and I absolutely sympathise with any business affected by the disruption on Sunday.”

The marchers moved to the skate park, where they listened to music and speeches.

Ms Hargreaves also said businesses had been impacted by staff shortages because of the vaccine mandate affecting “business’ ability to function”.

“On the topic of vaccination I fully support it where informed consent is given, which by definition means it must be voluntary and in the absence of undue pressure, coercion or manipulation,” she said.

Earlier this week Ballarat City Council CEO Evan King said Ms Hargreaves’ attendance did not breach the Local Government Act.

“There is nothing in City of Ballarat’s Councillor Code of Conduct (2021), nor in the Local Government Act 2020, that would preclude Tracey Hargreaves as a private citizen attending the rally,” he said.

“The Councillor Code of Conduct specifically relates to activities pertaining to ‘ … performing the role of a Councillor…’.

“On this occasion Tracey Hargreaves was not in any way acting in her Councillor capacity, nor was she representing Ballarat City Council.

“The rally was not subject to any current health directions; therefore, Ms Hargreaves’ attendance did not breach any Victorian Government health directions.”

Ms Hargreaves said she would continue as a Ballarat councillor “while also abiding by all mandates and health orders”.

“For those asking, councillors aren’t employees,” she added.

“They’re elected representatives voted in by the public and don’t fall under the current proof of vaccination mandates to stay in the role.

“This is not a decision of local council. My vaccination status is my own private medical information which I have no intention of sharing.”

Visible among the crowd on Sunday were Eureka Flags, inverted Australian flags, United Australia Party placards, and homemade signs with slogans opposing the premier, the Covid vaccine, vaccine mandates, or recently-passed pandemic legislation.

Police estimate 1000 people attended the protest.

Some handed out flyers promoting Christian ideals, teens took the opportunity to skateboard in the middle of the road, occasionally taunting the police, and several stopped to greet a piglet brought along on a leash.

At least 70 police officers were stationed in the immediate area, many guarding the front of shops opposite the hall.

MP Craig Kelly earned a celebrity welcome and called the day a “historic occasion”, likening it to the Eureka Stockade of 1854.

He said the requirement to be vaccinated in order to work was unethical and “un-Australian”, then promoted his political party.

Prior to the event, some poles throughout the city were stuck with signs reading ‘Nazis not welcome in Ballarat’.

No arrests were made.