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Victoria, Australia – Construction in Victoria will be halted for two weeks as a result of an anti-vaccine mandate protest after Victoria police used pepper spray and rubber bullets to disperse a crowd outside the CFMEU office on Monday night, the state government convened crisis talks.
The decision to close the roads in metropolitan Melbourne, Geelong, the Surf Coast, Ballarat, and Mitchell Shire was made late on Monday night after the CFMEU building was damaged and riot police were called in to deal with chaotic scenes in the CBD.
It is anticipated that some exceptions will be made to allow work to continue on special projects. A post on the Master Builders Association of Victoria’s Facebook page informed members of the development, stating that the government was concerned about an increase in Covid-19 transmissions in the building and construction industry, coupled with the riots in Melbourne today.
They stated that the shutdown would take effect at 11:59 p.m. on Monday.
Tradespeople in Victoria are subject to a 25 percent cap on their number of employees, and they must have received their first dose of a vaccine by this Thursday in order to be permitted to resume their previous jobs.
Several people were arrested, according to Victoria police, as the crowd became violent during the protest, which began before 9 a.m. on Monday and ended before 9 p.m.
Buildings were stormed by hundreds of construction workers dressed in high-visibility vests, as well as their supporters, in a demonstration against new mandatory vaccination rules for the construction industry.
The protest erupted when two union officials, including Victorian construction branch secretary John Sekta, approached protesters outside the Elizabeth Street office just before midday and began speaking with them in English.
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Setka was greeted with boos and insults from the audience, with some protesters hurling bottles at him.
Protesters also appeared to be turning against one another, with a number of small fights breaking out among the sea of bright orange and yellow clad demonstrators.
The Victorian branch of the union issued a statement shortly after 4 p.m., stating that it has always supported the right of individuals to choose whether or not to be vaccinated.
With chants of “fuck the jab,” those taking part in the demonstration are opposed to having to show proof of vaccination in order to be allowed back on construction sites, with some stating that it would be preferable if the entire construction industry were shut down.
Rain and hail did not deter the protesters, who continued to demonstrate in the streets until the early hours of the morning.
A number of protesters stated that they would come to the CFMEU office every day until the union complied with their demands.
According to a message on the Melbourne Freedom Rally Telegram group, which encouraged anti-lockdown protesters to join them, it is unclear whether all of those protesting are construction workers.
The rally on Monday comes after construction workers set up plastic chairs and tables in the middle of Melbourne streets on Friday to demonstrate their opposition to lockdown restrictions, which included the closure of tea rooms during morning breaks.
