Premier Daniel Andrews slams ‘ugly’ mob of protesters after threats of violence
The man responsible for driving a makeshift gallows out the front of Parliament House earlier this week has been issued a warning by police.
Victoria
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Premier Daniel Andrews has taken a swipe at Liberal MPs who joined a rowdy mob of protesters and spoke at rallies on the streets near Parliament House.
It comes as the man responsible for driving a makeshift gallows out the front of Parliament House has been spoken to by police.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed the 48 year old man, from Badger Creek, was issued a warning in relation to traffic offences.
His black Toyota Landcruiser was towing the gallows, which resulted in cheers and chants from protesters on Spring St on Tuesday.
Over the past week, demonstrators on the steps of state parliament have shocked the public with threats to the Premier and other MPs in response to the government’s proposed pandemic laws.
MPs who have spoken to protesters or publicly backed them include Bernie Finn, David Limbrick, Tim Quilty and Craig Ondarchie.
“Politics is often about what you stand for and it’s always about who you stand with,” Mr Andrews said.
“There have been some podiums shared, some comfort given. This is a preference hunt for some.
“I don’t think ordinary hardworking mainstream Victorians, those who are not ugly extremists, will easily or readily forget whose been put on the front steps currying favour.
“Imagine if the Premier of this state, who had to manage a pandemic ... if you were beholden to extremists.
“That is ugly. That is scary.”
But Opposition Leader Matthew Guy defended the decision of Liberal MPs to address the crowds on Spring St.
He said blaming all protesters for the actions of some would be similar to attacking aggressive union demonstrators or extremists in other political parties.
“Not every single person out there is saying silly things,” Mr Guy said.
“There are some people who have got a concern ... There are some people there who, if they cause trouble, shouldn’t be there.
This was Parliament earlier tonight. @TimQMLCNorthVic and I went to speak to as many people as we could. Loved the Gadsen flags! Thank you to all pro liberty folk who showed up despite the Governments disgusting smears. Stand against authoritarianism and stand for peace! pic.twitter.com/KrBMuBQSNm
— David Limbrick MP (@_davidlimbrick) November 15, 2021
“But you can’t put every single person in the same basket and say every single person is doing the wrong thing.”
He urged protesters to put forward their arguments sensibly and respectfully.
“There is no place for extremists of any kind,” Mr Guy said.
“Some of the images we’ve seen on the steps of parliament on the second day I would say I absolutely condemn.
“I don’t support them in any way. I can’t be any clearer in my language.”
“The state has to move on from this toxic debate.
“We have to move on from the negativity that is surrounded by Covid.”
ALARMING SCENES UNFOLD AT PARLIAMENT
The Premier lashed protesters over their threats of violence, declaring he will not be deterred from his job.
A Melbourne “freedom” protester was captured making disturbing execution comments directed at the Victorian Premier, as concern mount for the safety of MPs.
In disturbing vision posted on Twitter, one woman with a megaphone said: “I look forward to the day I get to see you dance on the end of a rope”.
A fake gallows was also rolled out late on Monday night, with disturbing footage showing a blow-up replica of Daniel Andrews being thrown on to the structure.
The incident, seen by the Herald Sun, is understood to have been filmed on Monday night, with protesters heard jeering and chanting “kill Dan”, while others cheered and laughed as music was played in the background.
When asked about the worst of these protests, Mr Andrews said threats had been made about him and his loved ones.
“They are essentially attacking the safety of my family,” he said.
“Be really clear and hear this message: I will not be deterred from the work I am doing to keep every family safe.
“There are some out there who are making threats against me and Cath and the kids, that’s not my focus.”
Mr Andrews said he was more concerned with the Victorians who had helped end lockdown
“I wouldn’t want the appalling, disgusting and potentially criminal behaviour of a small number of people to detract away from the amazing job that so many Victorians have done,” he said.
“It is so unfair for a small ugly mob to be drawing attention away.
“Debate is fine. Disagreement is fine. That is part of our system.
“What we have seen in recent days and weeks is not fine, it is awful.”
It comes after the Premier’s wife, Catherine, spoke out for the first time amid the chaos, taking to Twitter to thank those who had sent “beautiful messages” to her husband and family, while reiterating her stance: “I Stand with Dan”.
“We are reminded that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it,” she wrote.
REPORTER CHASED AWAY BY PROTESTERS
In shocking vision captured at the back gates of parliament, Channel 7 reporter Nick McCallum approached demonstrators for comment, but was met with anger.
The vision showed the protesters yelling abuse at the veteran reporter while they pursued him as he retreated.
One man with a megaphone on Tuesday afternoon yelled about taking over the building as protesters cheered and honked horns against the government’s proposed pandemic laws.
“If those police allow us to go through those doors and take over parliament, we will,” he shouted.
“We will lead the state to freedom.”
"If those police allowed us to go through those doors and take over parliament we will."
— Media Analyst (@MediaAnalystOz) November 16, 2021
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨#auspol#MelbourneProtest#QAnonCult@VictoriaPolicepic.twitter.com/b6RsUpcgp7
The wife of deputy Premier James Merlino has also hit out at the vile scenes, saying it was “so far over the line”.
Meagan Porch wrote on Twitter: “If that was about my husband, James Merlino, I’d be calling the police to put a stop to it.”
She added: “In what world is it OK for Cath and the kids to have to stand by and watch this as if everything is OK? This is so far over the line it’s ridiculous.”
Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick has also demanded that opposition leader Matthew Guy “publicly admonish” his MPs who attended violent rallies and “legitimised the noose-carriers”.
“It’s time to step up, or stand down — to 100 per cent renounce the violent rhetoric, to condemn in no uncertain terms the threats of violence, or rape and death to my colleagues, my friends,” Mr Meddick said outside parliament on Tuesday.
“He has not publicly condemned the members of his party who have stood next to neo-Nazis, conspiracy theorists and merchants of hate.”
PROTESTERS CONTINUE CAMP-OUT
Several hundred protesters remained on the steps of Parliament House on Tuesday night.
Groups of demonstrators unfurled sleeping bags and played music as police officers continued to patrol the intersection at Bourke and Spring streets.
One group of protesters sang the Australian national anthem as several people arrived to camp on the steps overnight.
The Herald Sun observed children singing alongside the crowd through megaphones.
The group has vowed to occupy the steps of Parliament House for the remainder of the week as the Victorian government continued to debate the controversial pandemic Bill late on Tuesday night.
Earlier that day, close to 1000 protesters gathered on steps of Parliament House, including dozens of young children who were on the periphery of the sit-in with their parents as the crowd repeatedly chanted “kill the Bill” and “jail Dan Andrews”.
Police warned the media on the scene to keep back from the crowd after a 7 News crew was chased down Spring St by a fringe group of protesters.
Most protesters who spoke to the Herald Sun were unaware of the amendments made to the Bill, which included slashing financial penalties in half and increasing parliamentary oversight of pandemic orders.
Beautician and personal assistant Isabella Russo said the amendments did not go far enough, and said she wanted the proposed laws to be scrapped entirely.
“I haven’t seen (the amendments), I didn’t know they were actually made public,” she said.
“They’re not going to do anything. Andrews is still going to have unlimited powers and do what he wants, when he wants, on a whim, based on your sex, religion, occupation or anything.
“We won’t have any protection from police, and we won’t have any privacy.”
Many protesters said the vaccine mandate was their main reason for attending.
The demonstrators blared horns and sang along to music over a loudspeaker.
Protest organisers were seen trying to restrain other demonstrators from interrupting a live television cross on the steps.
“We have to show them we are normal people,” a woman said.
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