Locals protest Covid concerns

A small group of anti-vaccination protesters targeted the Wonthaggi office of MP for Bass Jordan Crugnale last Friday.

The group were protesting the government’s vaccine mandates and the proposed trial of vaccine “passports”, as part of the state’s roadmap to reopening.

Ms Crugnale said she was made aware a protest was being organised by a local business owner 24 hours before the event and notified the police. She also contacted Bass Coast Health in case the protesters had plans to disrupt the vaccination clinic operating at the town hall.

“Two police officers visited my office the morning of the protest,” Ms Crugnale said.

“They along with Parliament Security directed me to close for the day.”

Ms Crugnale said she was not in her Wonthaggi office, as she had “already scheduled a number of visits in the Cardinia area”, including visiting a pop-up vaccination clinic at the Sikh Temple in Officer, the Pakenham Living Learning and ADRA who distribute emergency food packages to community members in need.

She expressed concerned about the wellbeing of the protesters,  saying she had heard “some of the people attending had been to the protests in Melbourne and I ask they monitor for symptoms however mild and get tested”, while stressing she did not believe they represented the majority of the community.

“Bass Coast has hit the 90 per cent first dose and this speaks volumes. I want to thank each and every person that has come and been vaccinated, and also the many people that contacted me and my team to check in, having driven past the protest or read about it in the local paper. Thank you for caring and for your ongoing support.”

Ms Crugnale urged anyone who had not already booked in for a vaccination to do so.

“What can I say – listen to the press conference with the Royal Melbourne ICU nurse unit Manager Michelle Spence where she says ‘one of the saddest things I’ve seen over the last few weeks is people wanting the vaccination just before we put them on a life support machine’.

“I am always keen to hear feedback and on this particular issue my office has received wide ranging views; however, the overwhelming majority have been in favour of the national vaccination roll out program and Victoria’s Roadmap delivering the National Plan,” she said.

“We are all tired, we are all over it, we are all doing our best supporting each other through this. It is not over but we do have a path out. We have local cases, they will rise as we open up, and this will put pressure on our health care workers and health system. The best thing we can do to support them is to get vaccinated and keep doing the right thing.”

Police

Police attended Friday’s protest, but a spokesperson said Victoria Police was unable to provide any specific details of the Wonthaggi protest.

They confirmed police attended a number of events across the state, where three people were arrested for failing to state their name and 121 penalty notices for breach of the Chief Health Officer’s directions were issued.

“Victoria Police will continue to have a highly visible presence to maintain public safety, and to ensure any protest activity that breaches the CHO directions does not impact on the broader community’s right to go about their daily lives,” the spokesperson said.

Trial

Friday’s protesters were demanding the government drop vaccine “passports”, which are being trialled this month, in preparation for coming out of lockdown.

Bass Coast is one of six areas nominated to take part in the trial, which will involve up to 20 businesses across the state. Ms Crugnale said there was some confusion over the trials, including concerns that all businesses in the area would have to take part.

“The recently announced regional vaccinated economy trials are for 20 sites across six local government areas so it is likely Bass Coast will have three or four participating,” she said.

“The purpose of the trials is to test systems and technologies. The trials will confirm the best processes to establish vaccination status with work underway on how Commonwealth vaccination data can be best integrated with the Service Victoria App.”

Businesses selected for the trial will receive training and support Ms Crugnale said.

Operation Guardian

Once again, there was a strong police presence on Phillip Island last week as part of Operation Guardian.

As well as foot patrols in Cowes and San Remo, highway checks continued.

On Saturday, a large check point was set up at Newhaven, diverting vehicles into the car park at the Visitor Information Centre. Police and military personnel checked number plates and drivers’ licences, to ensure people from Metropolitan Melbourne and lockdown areas such as Latrobe, were not visiting the area.

However local businesses continue to report turning away customers from Melbourne.