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Australia Covid live news update: Daniel Andrews condemns Melbourne protesters; NSW records 1,022 cases, 10 deaths; Victoria records 603 cases Australia Covid live news update: Daniel Andrews condemns Melbourne protesters; NSW records 1,022 cases, 10 deaths; Victoria records 603 cases
(32 minutes later)
Follow today’s newsFollow today’s news
Victoria Police chief commissioner Shane Patton has just stepped up to give an update.
Need a quick run down of everything that went down at today’s protest? Look no further than Josh Taylor’s report here:
So we’re expecting to hear from Victoria Police chief commissioner Shane Patton at 7:30pm.So we’re expecting to hear from Victoria Police chief commissioner Shane Patton at 7:30pm.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese has weighed in on twitter, condemning today’s protests on behalf of the party:Labor leader Anthony Albanese has weighed in on twitter, condemning today’s protests on behalf of the party:
So earlier today, federal health minister Greg Hunt announced that he had written to Pfizer, asking them for data on the effectiveness of the vaccine on young kids.So earlier today, federal health minister Greg Hunt announced that he had written to Pfizer, asking them for data on the effectiveness of the vaccine on young kids.
The company announced that trials into the use of its vaccine in children aged 5 to 11 had shown it was effective at preventing infection and produced minimal side effects.The company announced that trials into the use of its vaccine in children aged 5 to 11 had shown it was effective at preventing infection and produced minimal side effects.
In a letter to the pharmaceutical giant, Hunt said if granted approval by the TGA, young people would be given a priority:In a letter to the pharmaceutical giant, Hunt said if granted approval by the TGA, young people would be given a priority:
Production company ITV Studios Australia have confirmed to the ABC that one of its crew members working on I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! was the positive case that led to the snap lockdown in Byron and Tweed.Production company ITV Studios Australia have confirmed to the ABC that one of its crew members working on I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! was the positive case that led to the snap lockdown in Byron and Tweed.
ITV said the crew member was fully vaccinated and wore PPE while at work. The woman is an essential worker, but reportedly did not follow stay at home orders while filming in the Northern Rivers.ITV said the crew member was fully vaccinated and wore PPE while at work. The woman is an essential worker, but reportedly did not follow stay at home orders while filming in the Northern Rivers.
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has released a short statement, slamming the protesters today and yesterday, saying their actions have only increased the risk of the virus spreading.Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has released a short statement, slamming the protesters today and yesterday, saying their actions have only increased the risk of the virus spreading.
This is what some parts of Melbourne look like right now:This is what some parts of Melbourne look like right now:
Joining in the fray, the firefighters union has lashed out at “opportunists” protesting in Melbourne.Joining in the fray, the firefighters union has lashed out at “opportunists” protesting in Melbourne.
United Firefighters Union (UFU) secretary Peter Marshall condemned the protesters and attacks on police and emergency services:United Firefighters Union (UFU) secretary Peter Marshall condemned the protesters and attacks on police and emergency services:
However, in a final statement, the UFU urged their members to get vaccinated, but said it does not support the mandating of vacciantions.However, in a final statement, the UFU urged their members to get vaccinated, but said it does not support the mandating of vacciantions.
Victoria police’s chief commissioner Shane Patton, also confirmed that officers today used pepper balls, foam baton rounds, smoke bombs and stinger grenades which “deploy rubber pellets”:
Chief commissioner Shane Patton of the Victorian police is speaking now, and described the protests as a very “challenging” environment for police.
Police have confirmed that between 1,000 and 2,000 people protested today, that three police officers and one journalist were injured.
The representative confirmed that 44 people were arrested, and that more arrests are due.
Victoria police are holding a press conference right now.
Federal assistant treasurer and housing minister Michael Sukkar has told ABC Radio he is “dismayed” by the protesters in Melbourne, condemning them and implying the protesters were being influenced by external forces:
This is a shocking video, but I am not sure of the context or the timing, but as a reflection on the protest, pretty terrifying:
The Community and Public Sector Union has called for the “insanity to end” in a statement condemning the “violent behaviour from some extremists” at the protests today and yesterday.
In a statement, the CPSU says efforts to vaccinate construction workers are being “undermined” by the actions of the protesters:
So, CFMEU boss Dave Noonan is in a bit of a back and forth with the ABC’s Patricia Karvelas about the makeup of today’s protest.
Noonan is insistent that these protests are an attempt to “co-opt” the union, that a majority of the attendees are “anti-vaccination extremists” and “far right and neo-Nazi groups”.
But Karvelas pushed Noonan on that point, saying there were reports that “at least half” of the protesters are “genuinely” construction workers and tradies.
Noonan was dismissive:
When asked how he can tell who is and isn’t a “genuine” tradie, Noonan scoffs and points to his 30 years in the construction industry:
Protesters are walking in the direction of oncoming traffic to evade a line of riot police waiting for them as they return from the West Gate freeway.
They are continuing to yell obscenities about Dan Andrews.
The police have begun firing rubber bullets at the crowd.
Riot squad police are awaiting protesters as they make their way back down the West Gate freeway.