Greens MP’s tenure questioned after protest attendance

Liberals and Labor have united to condemn Gabrielle de Vietri for attending a violent anti-war protest, as Victorian Greens leader Ellen Sandell said the majority of the demonstration were there to protest peacefully despite acid being thrown at police.

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The Liberals and Labor have united to condemn Victorian Greens MP Gabrielle de Vietri for attending a violent anti-war protest in Melbourne, with Premier Jacinta Allan going as far as to suggest the pro-Palestine politician “hand back the keys” to her office.

On the morning of the protest, Ms de Vietri took to social media to declare she would join the thousands of activists rallying against the Land Forces expo, and said “disruption is all we have left” after the state government refused to cave to pressure to cancel the defence industry event.

State Greens leader Ellen Sandell backed her MP and sought to shift attention to the police response, arguing that officers should “de-escalate” any clashes.

“We have a duty as members of parliament to represent our constituents and that is exactly what Gabrielle is doing,” Ms Sandell said.

She said that protest organisers had intended for the rally to be peaceful, however by that time, and before Ms de Vietri was seen leaving parliament for the demonstration on her bike, the protest had turned ugly with radicals hurling horse manure, rocks and tomatoes at mounted police.

“(Protesters) have been met with an incredible barrage of increased police presence,” the Greens leader said.

Protesters surround the Melbourne Convention centre in an attempt to close down the Land Forces weapons expo. Picture: David Crosling

“We know often in those circumstances that police presence can escalate things and I very much urge police to de-escalate if there are any confrontations.

“If the Victorian Labor government wanted to avoid tens of thousands of Victorians on the streets disrupting our city this week, they could have cancelled the Land Forces weapons expo like we asked them several weeks ago.”

Asked about the liquid containing acid that was thrown at officers, Ms Sandell said that violence in any form is not acceptable.

“The overwhelming majority of protesters were there peacefully to protest against the Labor government sponsoring a weapons expo in our city,” she told The Australian.

“Peaceful protesters were met with excessive force from police, police on horseback, police firing rubber bullets and throwing stun grenades into the crowd. This is completely unacceptable behaviour from Victoria Police.”

The Victorian Premier condemned the protesters behaving in a “disgraceful” way and lashed out at Ms de Vietri for choosing to “turn her back” on her role as a member of parliament.

“Quite frankly, if the member for Richmond can’t turn up and do her job as an elected member of parliament, she should hand back the keys to her office,” Ms Allan said.

“This conflict overseas should not be turned into an opportunity to drive conflict on the streets of Melbourne for your base political purposes. That’s what the Greens political party are doing here.

“It is just unbelievable that anyone who has the right and the privilege to be a member of parliament would behave in such a divisive and potentially dangerous way.”

Today, the Vic Labor Gov is turning our city into a display of war machines, spending millions to protect the profits of genocide.

I'm joining thousands of anti-war protesters.

We pleaded for them to cancel Land Forces, but they didn't listen. Disruption is all we have left.

— Gabrielle de Vietri (@GabrielledeVie) September 10, 2024

Ms Sandell said the Greens MP was invited to speak at the protest, and would be absent from parliament for an hour.

At the protest, Ms de Vietri said that there was an “excessive and unjustified” level of police violence towards pro-Palestine protesters.

A Greens spokeswoman said that the MP did not end up speaking at the demonstration as “speeches got moved back at the last minute” and that Ms de Vietri needed to get back to parliament.

Victorian Police Minister Anthony Carbines said the Greens were more concerned about “pulling stunts” rather than representing their communities.

He said he was aware that activists from interstate had made their way to participate in the destructive rally in Melbourne.

“There are some (protesters) from Queensland, from New South Wales who made their way to cause trouble and to disrupt matters here in Victoria,” Mr Carbines said on Wednesday morning.

“There are some who are absolutely professional protesters who seek to disrupt and cause havoc here in Melbourne. Police are well aware of who they are.”

Victoria’s Opposition Leader John Pesutto says the labels “thugs” and “idiots” for the protesters hurling projectiles at police and causing disruption to the city were “too charitable”.

“The protests that we’re seeing in Melbourne today are a disgrace, they’re violent, they’re disgusting and they put Victoria Police officers at great risk of harm,” Mr Pesutto said.

“It’s a shame that one of our own members in this place, the member for Richmond, has participated in these protests.

“There’s no place for violence and I only condemn the protesters who are out there today.”

Mr Pesutto said he has a “strong view” that Ms de Vietri should not be serving in parliament.

“(Gabrielle) has shown herself unworthy of that role by her involvement and incitement of this protesting.”

Anthony Albanese also offered his own rebuke to the anti-war protesters.

“Well look, people have a right to protest peacefully, but you don’t say you’re opposed to defence equipment by throwing things at police,” the Prime Minister told Channel 7.

“They’ve got a job to do and our police officers should be respected at all times.”

In a statement issued later on Wednesday, police said they arrested 33 protesters for assaulting and obstructing officers, arson attacks and blocking roadways.

They claim that liquid containing acid were thrown at officers.

Ms de Vietri promoted the rally earlier this week and offered legal tips to her followers planning to attend the event.

The MP has attended pro-Palestine rallies in the past and was prevented from wearing a keffiyeh on the floor of parliament after Victorian legislative assembly speaker Maree Edwards ruled that the traditional scarf was political.