Victoria confirmed 996 new coronavirus cases and nine deaths on Wednesday. Protestors are still voicing their anger over the proposed pandemic bill, and have remained on the steps of State Parliament.
Premier Daniel Andrews said he would not be distracted from his job by the threats of some of the protestors, who he labelled as “ugly extremists”.
There were 40 protestors at the steps at 10am on Wednesday, and many spent a third night outdoors as a sign of protest.
Victoria’s Deputy Premier James Merlino said people within the Liberal Party were “actively encouraging this kind of extremist behaviour and extremist views”.
Mr Merlino said that “last time around, (Opposition Leader) Matthew Guy associated with mobsters. This time, he’s sidled up to far-right extremists and anti-vaxxers.”
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Mr Guy on Tuesday condemned the behaviour of some protestors. On Wednesday morning, he said there “is no place for extremism of any kind”.
Mr Guy, however, said the government had claimed it had consulted a number of industry groups, however many said that they had not been consulted.
“Half an hour on a Zoom in the last eight months is hardly consultation,” Mr Guy said.
Late on Monday, the government said it would amend the bill, however the revisions did not satisfy opponents.
The legislation will replace the state of emergency legislation which expires in December.
