Right-wing YouTuber sues Victorian parliament for denying him access to Daniel Andrews’ press conferences

A right-wing activist is back in court as he sues officers at the Victorian Parliament - and he wants an urgent hearing.

Lawyers for a far-right YouTuber suing officials at the Victorian parliament for denying him media access are arguing that his trial date should be brought forward because he can’t do his job.

Avraham Shalom Yemini, who works for Canadian media outlet Rebel News, was denied an application for a Parliament of Victoria media pass.

His matter was heard in the Supreme Court on Wednesday when lawyers for Mr Yemini asked for an expedited trial.

Mr Yemini’s matter is due to go to trial in September next year but his solicitor, William Houghton QC, told the court his client’s “livelihood was at stake” because his ability to report on political news was hindered.

“It seems his application was refused because he’s not employed by conventional or traditional media outlet,” he said.

“He’s not a member of the mainstream media.

“If you are a mainstream journalist, it seems almost a matter of course that you get media accreditation to the Parliament of Victoria if you are reporting on political news.”

Mr Houghton told the court Mr Yemini’s pass was “wrongly refused” and it was in the public interest that his client be allowed into parliament.

“We would urge you to make a tightened procedural timeframe,” he told Judicial Registrar Martin Keith.

The court was told Mr Yemini applied for a media pass in March this year and had his solicitors follow up a number of times after not hearing back from parliament officials. In July, Mr Yemini received a response that his application was not approved.

No reason was given, Mr Houghton said. “The application was not approved and that is the decision we seek to challenge,” he told the court.

Solicitor Glyn Ayres, who appeared on behalf of Nazih Elasmar, the president of the Legislative Council in Victoria, told the court the timeline leading up to the trial date in September was already relatively compressed and the logistics around the Christmas and New Year break would make it challenging.

“He (Mr Yemini) is still entirely able to report and comment on the proceedings of parliament,” he said.

Mr Keith said he felt inclined to set a tighter date if there was a suitable time available earlier in the year.

Mr Yemini filed a petition that appeared on the Victorian parliament website earlier this year, detailing how he claimed he was ejected from Premier Daniel Andrews’s press conference on February 17.

He also claimed to have accreditation from the Department of Home Affairs to participate in the press conference.

Mr Yemini said he presented the accreditation at the security gate and was admitted to the grounds but was escorted out by police after a staffer asked for his removal.

Another directions hearing has been set for March 9 in the Supreme Court.

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