No charges will be laid against MP Catherine Cumming for her ‘red mist’ comment

Victoria Police has announced whether Independent MP Catherine Cumming will face charges for her controversial speech about Daniel Andrews.

So-called ‘freedom’ protesters blocked city traffic. Picture: Supplied

Police will not charge an independent MP for controversial comments made at a freedom rally.

Victoria Police said the force had “completed its assessment” of the reported comments made by MP Catherine Cumming outside Flinders Street Station on November 19.

“It has been determined that no offence has been committed and Victoria Police will not be taking the matter any further,” a police statement said on Tuesday.

Ms Cumming addressed a freedom rally on Saturday afternoon.

“I joined the Angry Victorian Party for one reason, to make Daniel Andrews turn into red mist,” she said.

“In the army we would call it pink mist but I want him into red mist.”

Red mist is a military term referring to the blood of a victim targeted by a sniper.

‘Not America’: Dan responds

Premier Daniel Andrews has responded to extraordinary comments made at a Melbourne “freedom protest” by Independent MP Catherine Cumming, saying violent extremism should stay in America.

“I think we’re better than this,” Mr Andrews said on Sunday.

“We’re much better than violent extremism, we ought to leave that to the United States.

“This is not America and I, for one, will do nothing to contribute to the Americanisation of our politics.”

A police investigation into comments made by Independent MP Catherine Cumming is underway after she took to the steps of Flinders Street Station on Sunday in front of scores of protesters and called for Mr Andrews to be turned into “red mist”.

Among the crowd were protesters wearing costumes and carrying Trump 2020 and other flags.

“I joined the Angry Victorian Party for one reason, to make Daniel Andrews turn into red mist,” Dr Cumming said.

“In the army we would call it pink mist but I want him into red mist.”

“Give anyone here in the army a job to blow someone up and they will,” she said, to cheers, screams and claps from protesters.

A protester carrying a Trump 2020 flag.

Some wore bizarre costumes. Picture: Supplied

“Red mist” is a military term that refers to the blood of a victim targeted by a sniper.

A video of the incident which was posted to Twitter has since received more than 62,000 views.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said police were investigating.

“As the investigation is ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage,” the spokesperson said.

Angry Victorians Party founder Heston Russell acknowledged Dr Cumming’s comments but said social media was partly to blame for the uproar.

“I just had a chat with Cath and got her to explain her position. I’d like to point out those on social media that really haven’t helped whipping it up into a frenzy, choosing the interpretation, but hey that’s the danger of saying things without full context,” he said in an Instagram video.

“A lot of people are angry, a lot of people are emotive but we definitely need to bring it down a notch.”

The “freedom protesters” blocked a major intersection in Melbourne’s CBD on Saturday

In a statement Dr Cumming said she was not “in any way” referring to causing physical harm when making her comments to the crowd.

MP Catherine Cumming on the steps of Flinders Street Station.

“Freedom protesters” carried flags and blocked traffic. Picture: Supplied

Another protest, another candidate making threats against a sitting member

We all ok with what’s happening in Victoria? pic.twitter.com/MEYucKF4yI

— SOS (@SOS149) November 19, 2022

She reiterated she wanted the Premier and his government turned into “red mist” but said it was not meant as a physical threat.

“I want Dan Andrews and his government to turn into red mist. He and his red shirts brigade need to be blown up this election – at the ballot box – by the majority of Victorian Voters who are angry at what he has done,” she said.

“At no time did I say, or in any way mean to, physically blow up Daniel Andrews MP himself, or infer any physical harm to him or anyone.”

Dr Cumming said she understood why some people saw her comments as inciteful but that was not her intention.

“I am calling on all Victorians to deliver the accountability our state needs, at the ballot box, to erase the red stain of Daniel Andrews MP from our beautiful state,” she said.