Victoria’s construction sector has been denied a crucial request as tensions mount between tradies, the government and frustrated Australians.
Victoria’s construction sector has been denied additional support by the federal government as tensions mount and frustrated Australians react.
It comes after a third day of conflict and violence in Melbourne which saw anti-vax and anti-lockdown protesters clash with police — and an earthquake which took the country by surprise.
Wednesday night saw heated reaction to Melbourne’s bizarre scenes, with Sky News host Peta Credlin delivering a scathing rebuke to Daniel Andrews, claiming something is “very rotten in the state of Victoria”.
Waleed Aly on The Project meanwhile gave a sombre analysis, claiming “we’re now in the midst of a full on argument about vaccination” and warning the situation could escalate.
“How do you put a lid on it?” He said.
The Master Builders Association of Victoria confirmed the shut down of construction sites on Monday night for two weeks following the first day of clashes, with some estimates putting the cost of the action at more than $2 million. The lockdown continues.
By Wednesday evening, authorities arrested 215 protesters who had earlier stormed the city, throwing flares and water bottles at police.
“This is not who we are, the Melbourne we love, and it’s not the brand that we want to project, nationally or internationally,” Melbourne mayor Sally Capp told Leigh Sales on ABC’s 7.30.
On The Project, co-host Lisa Wilkinson slammed protesters, labelling the actions of tradies and those who infiltrated the group as selfish.
“After three days of this, I don’t know if this has gotten them anywhere,” she said.
“It’s not getting them any public sympathy, the government is locking down on their decision, I just don't get what the purpose is apart from upsetting a lot of people who are already doing it tough in lockdown.”
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who is elected under the inner Melbourne seat of Kooyong, told Sky News that he was “distressed” and “disturbed” by the scenes in the CBD.
He revealed that during a phone call with Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas, while senior Morrison government figures offered earthquake assistance, “additional support” for the construction sector was denied.
“I myself, (Deputy Prime Minister) Barnaby Joyce, (deputy Nationals leader) Bridget McKenzie and the Prime Minister have all reached out to the Victorian government to offer any assistance that’s required in the aftermath of this earthquake,” he said.
“I did speak to my counterpart Tim Pallas – who I do have a good, constructive, working relationship with – and he did ask for some additional money for the construction sector.
“But I made very clear to him that we’ve already provided very significant funding to Victoria including the COVID disaster payment where we pick up the bill.”
When questioned over the decision by the federal government, Employment Minister Stuart Robert told Sky it was “because we treat all Australians the same way”.
The federal government has supplied close to $2 billion to more than 570,000 Victorians.
“We have done an enormous amount to support the Victorian people through the latest lockdown and indeed over the course of the whole pandemic,” Mr Frydenberg said.
With the shutdown in place, there are fears the riots will continue, with “this combination of a pandemic … and the intensity of the emotion and desperation that people are feeling, this is one of the most extreme situations we’ve experienced in Melbourne,” Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said.
In a statement, Victoria Police told news.com.au 215 people were arrested following the unlawful protest activity in Melbourne’s CBD on Wednesday.
“Disappointingly, we estimate about 300 – 400 demonstrators came into the city, contravening the Chief Health Officer’s (CHO) directions,” the statement read.
Authorities deployed specialist members of the Public Order Response Team, Critical Incident Response Team, Air Wing, Mounted Branch and general duties officers “to ensure the safety of the community who were lawfully moving around the CBD”.
Those arrested will be issued with penalty notices for breaching the CHO directions and in addition, some will or have been charged with criminal offences including discharging flares, missiles and other weapons.
Two officers sustained head injuries after they had bottles thrown at them and one other officer was taken to hospital with chest pains.
“Disappointingly we saw the group congregate at the Shrine of Remembrance and to gather at this hallowed ground is nothing short of disrespectful.”
https://news.google.com/__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?oc=5
2021-09-22 15:17:13Z
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