Protesting truckies fined trying to blockade major Melbourne freeway

Truckies have tried to block traffic on one of Melbourne’s busiest freeways as protests against mandatory vaccinations continue.

Trucks have intentionally tried to block traffic on one of Melbourne’s busiest freeways in protest against lockdowns and mandatory vaccinations.

Police pulled over eight trucks about 8.30am on Tuesday on the Tullamarine Freeway near Moreland Rd in the city’s northwest after they travelled at low speed.

The truckie protest had planned to block all lanes by driving over the West Gate Bridge and out to Melbourne Airport at 20km/h.

One of the trucks was carrying a banner on the side of its trailer reading “freedom for Victoria”.

Trucks are intentionally trying to slow traffic on the Tullamarine Freeway. Picture: Twitter/@LanaMurphy

A police spokeswoman said each truck also had a passenger on-board.

She said 15 people had been fined for breaching the chief health officer’s directions.

It appears a strong police presence managed to foil the planned action with dozens of police cars and buses of officers in position near the West Gate Bridge before 6am.

Cars and other vehicles were travelling freely past the small convoy on the Tullamarine Freeway with minimal disruption.

The trucks were pulled over by police about 8.30am. Picture: Twitter/@paul_dowsley

Traffic banks up on the freeway after police pulled over protesting truck drivers. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

“Victoria Police will continue have a highly visible presence in the area to maintain public safety, and to ensure any illegal protest activity does not impact on the broader community’s right to go about their daily lives,” the spokeswoman said.

“In addition to confirming the chief health officer’s directions are being followed, police will enforce the road rules as required, including the offence of drive in procession.”

Truck drivers are not subject to mandatory vaccination requirements in Victoria. It’s believed they were protesting against mandated vaccines for drivers travelling into NSW.

Police seemed to have foiled the small truck protest on the Tullamarine Freeway. Picture: Twitter/@paul_dowsley

Health Minister Martin Foley said the rules were being applied to keep the important freight and logistics industry operating to keep shops full and food on our tables.

“If there are challenges for the freight industry, individuals, drivers, I’m sure we can work through those with sector,” he said.

It’s the latest in a series of anti-vax and anti-lockdown protests to sweep across the city over the past fortnight, which has resulted in more than 1000 arrests.

Hundreds of protesters walked across the West Gate Bridge last Tuesday and wreaked havoc for traffic, while hundreds more clashed with police when they staged a sit in at the Shrine of Remembrance on Wednesday.

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