Angry taxi drivers try to storm Victorian Parliament during protest

MELBOURNE taxi drivers have attempted storm the Victorian Parliament as tensions rise over looming legislation to deregulate the industry.

MELBOURNE taxi drivers have attempted storm the Victorian Parliament as tensions rise over looming legislation to deregulate the industry.

Up to 100 people stormed the building entrance banging on windows and screaming for Premier Daniel Andrews to front the angry mob.

Lou the Bourke St cabbie calms crowd down after taxi protestors try to storm parliament @theheraldsun #springst pic.twitter.com/uslNZUwx3M

— Alex White (@alexwhitelive) March 8, 2017

Police stand guard on the steps oft Parliament. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Extra police stand outside Parliament after the taxi protest tried to storm the building. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Police swarmed the steps creating to a human chain to stop the crowd.

One woman threw herself to the ground kicking and screaming and at least five people have collapsed.

Organisers attempted to quell the angry crowd by singing the national anthem.

A taxi protester is treated by paramedics at Parliament. Picture: Nicole Garmston

At least five people collapsed during the protest. Picture: Nicole Garmston

However drivers and their families continued to gather swearing at police.

The crowd swarmed for more than 15 minutes before Bourke St hero Cabbie Lou took over the microphone and called for protesters to calm down.

“You need to calm down. Nothing is happening. Everybody calm down.”

Protesters are angry at the government’s deregulation of the industry. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Taxi owner and driver John protests on the steps of Parliament. Picture: Nicole Garmston

The latest situation comes after a series of protests against the Victorian Governments proposed licence buyback offer by the Andrews Government saying it was inadequate.

The incoming legislation will compensate taxi licence holders, giving them $100,000 for their first asset, and $50,000 for up to three more licences.

This is up to $100,000 more than was first offered by the government.

The angry crowd were chanting for Mr Andrews along with his Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan to address the crowd.

Across town thousands of workers have begun a protest against the slashing of penalty rates and the Federal Government’s tough new building code.

The rally, starting at Victorian Trades Hall and led by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, has halted inner-Melbourne building sites.

Thousands of workers have begun a protest against the slashing of penalty rates and the Federal Government’s tough new building code. Picture: Alex Coppel.

CFMEU state secretary John Setka addresses the crowd at Trades Hall.

Mr Setka said the Australian Building and ­Construction Commission’s reinstatement was designed to attack the building unions. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Similar rallies are being held in capital cities across the country.

CFMEU state secretary John Setka said the Australian Building and ­Construction Commission’s reinstatement was designed to attack the building unions.