Protest forces Daniel Andrews to cancel press conference in Bendigo

Daniel Andrews was forced to abandon plans for a press conference in Bendigo after receiving concerning advice from police about a protest.

Daniel Andrews was forced to cancel a regional press conference on police advice amid fears of a hostile protest.

The Premier was in Bendigo on Wednesday to tour a local TAFE site and address local media.

After speaking at the TAFE’s official opening event, Mr Andrews and his team were hurried out of the regional town without answering questions from waiting reporters, as originally planned.

The Herald Sun understands his sudden departure came on the back of police advice, after protestors had descended outside the TAFE.

They were protesting about vaccine mandates and the state government’s controversial new pandemic legislation.

Daniel Andrews is mobbed by protesters as he leaves a function in Bendigo.

It comes as protesters were slammed after hurling abuse at chief health officer Brett Sutton and Covid-19 testing commander Jeroen Weimar as they left state parliament this week.

Police officers could be seen surrounding the Covid response chiefs to keep the angry mob at bay, as they shouted at the pair on Monday afternoon.

The footage was reportedly taken as Prof Sutton and Mr Weimar left Parliament after they fronted the Public Accounts and Estimates hearings.

They were then confronted with one man heard calling them “scumbags”, amid swearing and shouting from others.

It is understood no complaints were filed to Victoria Police and the health officials left without further incident.

The confrontation took place the same day police arrested a crossbow-wielding man outside Parliament House.

Police escort Brett Sutton and Jeroen Weimar from parliament.

Senior Andrews government minister Martin Pakula slammed the behaviour of protesters towards public health officials as “absolutely appalling”.

Mr Pakula said the protest footage was “outrageous” and “beyond disgraceful”.

“I think whatever your view about individual pieces of legislation or whatever your view about particular public health orders, to be abusing and threatening — not just public health officials, but also members of the upper house who have not yet considered the legislation — (is) beyond disgraceful,” he said on Wednesday.

Mr Pakula added that both Professor Sutton and Mr Weimar had done an “incredible” and “diligent” job in responding to the challenges of the pandemic.

“They just do not deserve that type of abuse and vitriol,” he said.

“People just need to get a grip.”

The pair was called ‘scumbags’ after being confronted by protesters.

Mr Pakula, who is a member of the lower house, said the pandemic legislation would “undoubtedly” be a spirited debate when discussed in the upper house next week.

He said it was likely that some MPs would attempt to make amendments to the Bill.

“I’m quite certain that some will, and it’s quite likely that the opposition may,” he said.

“As for the legislation that passed the lower house, (that’s) the legislation that we would like to see pass the upper house. I’ll let my colleagues who are doing those negotiations with the crossbench speak to that.”

But he added: “Members of parliament should be able to engage in that debate and consider their vote in that debate without threats of violence, without abuse and vitriol, which is what they’re copping at the moment.

“(And) to the extent that people are effectively encouraging this type of activity they ought to stop.”

A spokesman for Liberal Democrats MP David Limbrick, who spoke at the protest on Tuesday, said demonstrators confirmed the incident, which had been “doing the rounds of social media”, occurred on Monday afternoon.

“Informal gatherings have been happening outside parliament every day, but these are not connected to last night’s event,” he said.

Protesters gather on the steps of Parliament House on Tuesday. Picture: Alexandra Middleton

A person holds a sign at the rally. Picture: Luis Ascui

Protesters march down Bourke St. Picture: Alexandra Middleton

MPS FIRED UP PARLIAMENT PROTESTERS

About 400 people had gathered in Spring St to protest against the state government’s proposed pandemic laws.

Under the new legislation, the premier would be given the power to make a pandemic declaration following consultation with the chief health officer, and extend it in three-month blocks for as long as he considered it necessary.

The state’s chief health officer would also be stripped of the ability to make special orders – such as issuing mask mandates and isolation orders – with that power to be transferred to the health minister.

Liberal MP David Davis was the first to address the crowd, heavily criticising the Andrews government.

“Victoria has had a terrible time. We’ve had the worst two years … we got the longest lockdown in the world … more than 800 deaths … the worst business outcomes.

“The harsh lockdown laws have not delivered for Victoria.

The former health minister reminded the crowd he has pushed hard for the health advice to be released to the public.

He has called for “transparency and honesty” from the Andrews government.

Hundreds attended the protest. Picture: Luis Ascui

“Andrews and Sutton and the health ministers have never once, not ever, released the briefings on what’s going on.”

“What on earth do they have to hide?”

The crowd erupted as Mr Davis shouted: “Where is the evidence?”

Mr Davis said both parliaments with a special majority of 60 per cent should have a say when it came to passing the Bill.

Liberal Democrats MP David Limbrick was next to speak, accusing the Andrews government of lying to Victorians.

“They told us it’s just a mask, it’s just two weeks to flatten the curve, it’s just a circuit breaker lockdown,” he said.

“More lies. It’s not just.”

The crowd began chanting “it’s not just” and “sack Dan Andrews” as Mr Limbrick finished his speech.

Protesters could be heard chanting “kill the Bill” and “sack Dan Andrews” as more joined the congregation. They started yelling “save our children” as one woman waved an Australian flag.

After the rally at parliament, protesters marched down Bourke St, yelling “save our children” and “free Victoria”. One protester told the Herald Sun: “This isn’t an anti-vax protest”.

A man holds a sign at the rally. Picture: Luis Ascui

She said people were protesting against the Bill because it will take away their choices and freedoms.

She said people didn’t want to live under a “dictatorship”.

Small Business Australia director Bill Lang took to the steps of parliament, thanking the MPs for all the work they’ve been doing during this “awful time for Victorians”.

Mr Lang said he blamed the Labor government for small businesses suffering.

“Every Labor politician, they’re all in this together,” he said.

“Who’s sponsoring the local footy club and the local netball club? Small business families. They have paid the biggest price — they’ve been left to fend for themselves.”

He lauded protesters for “taking a stand”.

Former Victoria Police acting senior sergeant Krystle Mitchell also addressed the crowd and was met with cheers and applause.

“The powers conferred in this Bill are not needed in Victoria,” Ms Mitchell said.

“It is entirely incompatible with human rights.

Police watch on. Picture: Luis Ascui

Ms Mitchell then addressed her former Victoria Police colleagues, asking when they would “push back”.

“You didn’t join this job to treat the Victorian community like this,” Ms Mitchell said directly to the line of police officers standing behind her.

The crowd continued to chant “stand with us”, directing their message at police.

Independent MP Catherine Cummings thanked the crowd for listening and turning up.

Ms Cummings held up the proposed legislation and the crowd booed.

“This is the pandemic Bill. Throw it in the shredder,” Ms Cummings said.

She added the Bill was “complete and utter rubbish”.

Ms Cummings alleged only a “handful” of upper house Labor MPs would have read the Bill properly.

“You should be frightened,” Ms Cummings said to the crowd.

“They’re trying to vaccinate your children.”

Ms Cummings encouraged protesters to keep rallying “every day”.

The crowd responded with cheers of “every day”.