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Protesters set up CAMP on Parliament steps in protest against Daniel Andrews’ pandemic laws

Protesters set up CAMP on Parliament steps in protest against Daniel Andrews' pandemic laws 2

Protestors against Victoria’s planned pandemic laws have now set up camp on the steps of the state’s Parliament, on the back of a controversial march through the CBD on the weekend.

Playing drums and a didgeridoo while displaying Australian flags and placards, the protestors are making a last-ditch effort to convince Victorian Upper House MPs to reject the new legislation.

The number of protestors was significantly less than the thousands who marched through the city on Saturday shouting ‘kill the bill’ while carrying flags and provocative banners targeting the premier.

Displaying Australian flags and placards, the protestors are making a last-ditch effort to convince Victorian Upper House MPs to reject the state's new pandemic legislation

Displaying Australian flags and placards, the protestors are making a last-ditch effort to convince Victorian Upper House MPs to reject the state’s new pandemic legislation

The number of protestors was significantly less than the thousands who marched through the city on Saturday shouting 'kill the bill'

The number of protestors was significantly less than the thousands who marched through the city on Saturday shouting ‘kill the bill’

Families and young children were among the crowd chanting 'sack Dan Andrews' as they headed for Victorian State Parliament

Families and young children were among the crowd chanting ‘sack Dan Andrews’ as they headed for Victorian State Parliament

Ongoing protests objecting to the new law, which is designed to replace the state of emergency imposed in Victoria since March 2020, has seen state MPs receive death threats

Some protestors carried nooses and a makeshift gallows during Saturday’s march. 

One man’s sign depicted Andrews wearing a Nazi officer’s uniform and cap, another showed him as a gremlin and others simply displayed his face above words including ‘liar’ and ‘scum’.

Another attendee was photographed proudly holding a tiny handmade noose wearing a T-shirt depicting Mr Andrews as a clown. 

Families and young children were among the crowd chanting ‘sack Dan Andrews’ as they headed for Victorian State Parliament. 

The large protest divided people on social media. 

‘I got coerced, my first jab today. Saw the Melbourne protests and did not want anyone thinking I’m linked to those noose-carrying monsters,’ one person wrote.

But another person on Facebook commented: ‘How good is that, Dan can’t even walk the streets, now he has to have security full time.’

The Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment (Pandemic Management) Bill 2021 has already passed the lower house and is to be voted on in Victoria’s Upper House this week. 

Animal Justice Party's Andy Meddick (pictured) revealed on Twitter that he, his family and his staff had been subject to death threats by protestors

Animal Justice Party’s Andy Meddick (pictured) revealed on Twitter that he, his family and his staff had been subject to death threats by protestors

A staffer of Mr Meddick posted a picture of a letter received at his office from a protestor. A used condom was enclosed in the envelope

A staffer of Mr Meddick posted a picture of a letter received at his office from a protestor. A used condom was enclosed in the envelope

An Upper House MP whose vote will be crucial to passage of the legislation, the Animal Justice Party’s Andy Meddick, revealed on Twitter that he, his family and his staff had been subject to death threats by protestors.

‘My family have been threatened with being shot, and my kids kidnapped,’ he wrote.

‘Lately, my staff remove their passes on their way in to work so they can’t be identified. We are strong and so is my family – but it is impacting us.’ 

His office also received a used condom in the mail last week, accompanied by a note that read: ‘⁣Enjoy some of my fresh herpes!!!″’ 

The new law would allow the state’s premier, rather than the chief health officer, to declare a pandemic on the advice of the CHO and the health minister. 

The health minister would then issue pandemic public health orders, including lockdowns and other restrictions limiting movement or closing businesses, for example.

Ongoing protests objecting to the new law, which is designed to replace the state of emergency imposed in Victoria since March 2020, saw protestors carrying nooses and a makeshift gallows during Saturday's march

Ongoing protests objecting to the new law, which is designed to replace the state of emergency imposed in Victoria since March 2020, saw protestors carrying nooses and a makeshift gallows during Saturday’s march

Another attendee was photographed proudly holding a tiny handmade noose wearing a T-shirt depicting Mr Andrews as a clown

Another attendee was photographed proudly holding a tiny handmade noose wearing a T-shirt depicting Mr Andrews as a clown

The proposed law will also make the government provide transparency about the health advice used to make public health orders and whether residents’ rights are impacted under Victoria’s human rights charter.

A pandemic declaration could be renewed for up to three months at a time.

Vocal critics of the bill say it does not include enough oversight of the government’s decisions in the event of a pandemic. 

Demonstrators’ signs also reveal fierce opposition remains to vaccine mandates in the state for industries such as construction. 

The new law is expected to pass this week with the support of three cross-bench MPs in the Upper House, though Victoria’s Liberal Opposition has vowed to try and delay its passage. 

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