The Age, 21 September 2021:
Australians are facing an organised campaign by anti-vax and far-right activists to undermine confidence in life-saving medicines and a public health response which continues to save lives every day.
That’s not hindsight. On August 25, I tweeted that unions were feeling the impact of organised, extremist, anti-vax and far-right campaigns. We were witnessing fringe interests attempting to infiltrate unions – not to help workers in any way – but for their own selfish political gains.
What happened on Monday in Melbourne was the continued organised assault by these groups on our unions who are working to protect members, save jobs, keep workplaces safe, and protect our health system.
The union currently under attack, the CFMEU, has worked tirelessly to keep its industry open for the benefit of workers and the Victorian economy. It has developed COVID-safe plans, run advertising to encourage members to vaccinate and put resources into testing on sites.
The attack on the union orchestrated by the far right should be a warning to all political leaders about the challenges we face in rebuilding our nation after this pandemic.
The union movement is not the only organisation subject to this co-ordinated and dangerous attack from extremists. We have anti-vax politicians in our state and federal parliaments.
A billionaire mining magnate is funding an ex-Liberal parliamentarian to send anti-vax texts to millions of Australians.
An upper house member of the Victorian Parliament attended Monday’s protest and gave vocal support to the extremists, a federal Senator tweeted his approval of the violence.
A billionaire mining magnate is funding an ex-Liberal parliamentarian to send anti-vax texts to millions of Australians.
An upper house member of the Victorian Parliament attended Monday’s protest and gave vocal support to the extremists, a federal Senator tweeted his approval of the violence.
That our unions are seeing this fear and anxiety should not surprise anyone. But anyone who cares about social cohesion and ensuring we get through this pandemic should know that left unchecked these groups will continue in their attempts to undermine confidence in the response to the virus……
How Twitter saw Melbourne riots over the last four days
At my hospital's vaccine clinic, we can't keep up with the demand from construction workers and other tradies who are coming to get vaccinated
— Patrick Charles - ID Doctor (@P_Charles_ID_Dr) September 21, 2021
Advertising for yesterday’s protest was shared among a larger group of general anti-vax, anti-lockdown online groups, encouraging others to “blend in” and wear high visibility gear. crikey
— Ewart, LaborDave💉💉🌍 (@davidbewart) September 21, 2021
Turn on abc24 footage of protest in Melbourne & theres some nutter carrying a trump flag. Yeah tell me again about the " left wing" protestors,. FFS
— suemazzy (@suemazzy1) September 21, 2021
A lot of very clean hi vis clothing there. https://t.co/RaKTwwPuRd
— Narelle (@narelleford) September 21, 2021
Sold out. pic.twitter.com/fYARWNTWOy
— NOT a Canberra Bubbler 🌲🌏🌲 (@MSMWatchdog2013) September 21, 2021
I’ve led union protests of 200,000 workers.
— Luke Hilakari (@lhilakari) September 21, 2021
Our rallies look like this.
Diverse, beautiful, passionate and peaceful.
That’s not what is happening in the city right now. This is a mob looking for a fight. It’s not solidarity, it’s selfishness and it’s definitely not union. pic.twitter.com/jj8BvAk9JE
@YaThinkN This is seriously out of control and someone is going to get hurt. #GoHome now #Melbourne #protests 21 Sep 2021 Source NialFinnigain pic.twitter.com/ClS5Lu5XtX
— 💧DUKE Clyde (HANSARD)CFW9 (Biden-Harris ELECT)💧 (@nobby15) September 21, 2021
— Apex World News (@apexworldnews) September 18, 2021
AUSTRALIA: People in Melbourne break through police lines as they protest against coronavirus restrictions. pic.twitter.com/sJ0s1Y4EgA
— Miriam Silva (@miriamsilva595) September 21, 2021
THREAD: I've spoken to experts about claims that #faketradies infiltrated the construction worker protests in Melbourne.
— Eden Gillespie (@edengillespie) September 21, 2021
They told me we're seeing the far-right and anti-lockdown personalities co-opting the concerns of the working class. https://t.co/QhL4VOO1ab
Anyone else notice these lockdown protests are only happening in Labor States? Regardless of whether they’re in lockdown. Whereas there’s almost no protests happening in Liberal states, when by rights there protesters in Sydney should be louder than Melbourne.
— Dominic💧🌱💚 (@domnixon1984) September 20, 2021
A high vis shirt does not make a you a CMFEU member
— Maddie Says Sue Me Dutton (@maddiet5) September 20, 2021
Take a moment to put yourself in this woman's position. Trapped on the West Gate Bridge as hundreds of angry men climb surround her. Some climb on her car. Others, she claims, spat on her. She looks terrified. This is not the Melbourne I know. Pictures: Jason Edwards pic.twitter.com/9NwSSV2ydz
— Rohan Smith (@Ro_Smith) September 21, 2021
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