NSW coronavirus cases surge, Victorian coronavirus cases surge, under 12 vaccinations won’t start until January, Pilbara suffers aftershocks after Saturday’s earthquake

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A group of protesters braved the cold to express their dissatisfaction with the Victorian government’s proposed anti-pandemic laws, as the number of protesters had increased to several hundred by the end of the afternoon.

Many protesters were preparing to stay overnight with organizers vowing to keep their presence on the steps of Parliament in Victoria 24 hours a day, seven days a week until a proposed version of the pandemic management bill is amended to their liking.

The protesters pledged to stay on the steps of the House of Representatives until the legislation is amended. Credit: Eddie Jim

People of all ages crowded the stairs, holding signs that read “Kill the bill” and “Dictator Dan.” By 7 p.m., The Age had not spotted any deputies from the audience.

Throughout the day, protesters chanted, listened to music and waved signs warning about vaccines, mandates, Prime Minister Daniel Andrews and pandemic response, a handful of them slept through a cold night and woke up on the stairs this morning.

Protesters created a speaker and spoke out about the challenge of vaccine mandate in NSW, and expressed their anger at staffing mandates linked to the state of people’s vaccination.

They also spoke of their loathing for the state government’s proposed legislation, which was criticized for being too harsh in giving the then-prime minister and health minister the power to declare a pandemic and issue public health orders.

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A handful of police monitored the demonstration closely, but there were no indications that the protest would turn violent after a full day of no confrontations with the authorities.

Today’s demonstrations come on the heels of a weekend that saw thousands flock to Melbourne’s central business district on Saturday in a peaceful protest, voicing their opposition to the controversial laws.

Although the police did not provide an estimate of the size of the crowd, their size appears to have increased in recent weeks.

The Public Health and Welfare (Pandemic Management) Amendment Bill 2021 passed the House of Representatives last month, and the government is now hoping to pass it to the Senate next week with the support of three House members.

More about the protest at Parliament House in Victoria here.

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