Victorian MP on weekend protests: “I went along. It was absolutely huge”

A Victorian crossbench MP who attended the weekend’s protest in the Melbourne CBD says there were more than 300 thousand people in attendance.

Liberal Democrats MP Tim Quilty is voting against the Government’s controversial pandemic management bill.

He’s told Luke Grant he was joined by thousands of Australians concerned by Daniel Andrews’ plan to introduce new powers under the legislation.

He says he attended alongside an estimates between 300 and 450 thousand people

“Yes, I went along . It’s the first protest in Melbourne I’ve been to and it was absolutely huge,” he said.

“It was absolutely massive. There were ordinary Victorians. They were multicultural, they came from all over the state, they were all ages.”

Protesters staged demonstrations across the country against lockdowns and mandated vaccination.

Thousands descended on Sydney and Melbourne where only one arrest was made.

Many who marched in Melbourne are protesting against the government’s proposed pandemic powers bill.

The Government needs only one more vote to pass the bill, after former Labor powerbroker Adem Somyurek indicated he would reenter parliament to vote against.

Debate on the legislation has been adjourned less than a month out from the Victoria’s State of Emergency powers expiring.

It’s understood Mr Andrews is in desperate talks with the crossbench to try and gain enough support for the Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment (Pandemic Management) Bill 2021 before the deadline.

Tim Quilty and the Liberal Democrats are opposing the bill.

Click play below to listen to the full interview.

Image: www.timquilty.com.au