Western Victorian MP questions state government rally announcement

JUNE 3 2020

Warrnambool Standard

A Western Victoria MP slammed a state government announcement that fines will not be handed out to Black Lives Matter protesters at Saturday's planned rally in Melbourne's Federation Square.

Bev McArthur said the rally organised through Facebook has had 12,000 people confirm they planned to attend, with an additional 17,000 people showing interest.

She said that on Tuesday a rally in opposition to Parks Victoria's plans to shoot the high country's brumbies was strictly policed with only 20 allowed on the Parliament House steps and social distancing enforced.

Mrs McArthur told the Legislative Council: "This Andrews operation, drunk with power and cloaked in corona secrecy, wants to fine protesters if they don't like their cause, but if it suits their politically correct agenda, thousands can gather, while the rest of us are told to stay home and dob in your bosses if they ask you to attend your regular work place.

"If Victoria Police are not out fining and enforcing social distancing at Saturday's protest, how can Victorians ever trust this government again?

"While Victoria remains locked up more than anywhere else in the country, a protest with 29,000 people having flagged their interest in attending, will be allowed to go ahead because the government ideologically agrees with it," she said.