People Held Up A Noose For Politicians At A “Freedom Rally” Attended By Craig Kelly
Conservative commentator Peta Credlin was also in the crowd.
A Melbourne ‘freedom’ rally has sparked outrage over the weekend for implying state politicians should be hung, and chanting death threats at Dan Andrews, ahead of proposed public health law changes this week. A fake gallows was propelled above the crowd with three nooses dangling down in response to recently enforced double vaccination mandates in the construction and residential aged care industries, and additional lockdown powers which will be debated in the state’s Upper House in the coming days.
The sight of people protesting freely against ‘tyranny’ by carrying a noose to hang elected officials was as idiotic as it was frightening.
David Davis, Bernie Finn, Craig Kelly and all who encouraged this mob should be ashamed.#auspol pic.twitter.com/XOKd5BLhDr
— Josh Burns (@joshburnsmp) November 13, 2021
The controversial Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment (Pandemic Management) Bill 2021 seeks to extend state of emergency operations which have been in place in Victoria since March last year, currently set to expire on December 15. Under the changes, Premier Dan Andrews would be able to call more shots on lockdown-related decisions and pandemic declarations after consultation with the Chief Health Officer.
In attendance on Saturday was United Australia Party MP Craig Kelly, who gave a speech to thousands of protestors, and conservative political commentator Peta Credlin. Kelly called the Bill a form of “tyranny” peddled by “dictators” and “human rights abusers” on Twitter.
And if anyone thought there was so much as a whiff of credibility to this lot, look what the cat dragged in. Craig Kelly addresses the crowd of stupid and gullible far right nuts at the #Melbourneprotest. There is no legitimacy to this cause. pic.twitter.com/IacRTBmtXd
— PRGuy (@PRGuy17) November 13, 2021
While the Victorian Bar have expressed concern that the changes will give politicians a “blank cheque to rule by decree”, Dan Andrews has defended the legislation as a move in government transparency, and improvement to human rights, according to The Age. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said he would not butt into the state’s decision, telling Radio 3AW last Friday that it was all down to Victorian parliament. “That is the thing about the federation. We’re all responsible for the things we’re responsible for,” he said.
Victoria recorded over 1200 new COVID cases and four additional deaths on Saturday.
Protests that promote violence are not acceptable. And no one with a public following should be associated with such #craigkelly #Melbourneprotest
— Jewels 💎 – All done 💉 (@juliasilvertop) November 13, 2021