Protestors camp outside Victoria's Parliament amid proposed pandemic bill anger
Protestors opposing the Victorian Government's controversial proposed pandemic bill have slept on the steps of State Parliament overnight while vowing to continue their camp-out this week.
Two demonstrators were the first to brave Melbourne's unseasonably cold conditions last night, with about 70 people joining them throughout the night.
The protests are part of the 24-hour demonstrative action against the government's proposed new pandemic laws and vaccine mandates.
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Protesters opposing Victoria's proposed pandemic laws have camped outside State Parliament overnight. Nine
Hundreds of demonstrators are expected to gather later today and this evening for another protest objecting to the pandemic bill.
The group was seen playing music and brandishing signs that read 'kill the bill'.
People dropped off food and a number of drivers honked while passing by in support.
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Demonstrators set up camp and slept on the steps of State Parliament in Melbourne. Nine
Thousands of protesters marched through the CBD at the weekend also opposing the proposed legislation.
A number of politicians attended the protests, with former Liberal MP Craig Kelly - who is now part of Clive Palmer's United Australia Party - addressing the crowd.
"We are no longer governed for the people or by the people," he said.
"I stand with all those who stand for freedom."
Controversial Liberal MP Bernie Finn addressed the crowd gathered in Melbourne's CBD on Saturday. Supplied
The Public Health and Wellbeing Amendment (pandemic management) Bill 2021 passed through the lower house in October and a vote in the upper house is expected this week.
The state opposition has claimed the proposed law would give Premier Daniel Andrews too much power, with Victoria's human rights watchdog also raising concerns.
"It will be the first thing we rip up because it's not right," Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said.
"It's designed to lock us down again and we've gone through enough."
The number of protesters is set to swell throughout the week as the campaign against the bill ramps up.
Victoria recorded 860 new cases of COVID-19 today and five further deaths.
The total number of Victorians fully vaccinated stands at 87 per cent.
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