About 2,000 protesters have marched to Parliament House in Melbourne in a show of force against new expanded police powers.

The protesters marched from Trades Hall, through the main streets of Russell and Bourke, chanting "proud to be union."

They are against the proposed new law which will allow police to move on people blocking the lawful entry to premises, causing reasonable fear of violence or danger to safety or property.

The Victorian Government says the changes protect the freedoms of people going about their lawful business.

But the Victorian Trades Hall Council Secretary Brian Boyd disagrees.

"All sorts of people, vulnerable people, anyone who's got a gripe about public policy of the day could be caught up in this law," he said.

"It's a very sad day in Victoria that we have to actually have a protest about the right to protest."

Victoria's peak employer body has welcomed the proposed new laws, saying they will help protect the fundamental rights of businesses.

"The right to freely enter one's premises is a fundamental right," said VECCI Chief executive Mark Stone

579

The pitiful handful of unionists that shuffled to Parliament house to claim their right to threaten businesses I am sure will have the impact of a wet sponge and have Napthine quaking in his boots.

Epic Fail.

The following link may help clarify matters:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-18/protesters-march-through-cbd-for-the-right-to-protest/5267190

Foxy,

Have you actually looked at the photos? 200 would be generous.

These louts are protesting not for the right to protest, but the right to maintain the right to blackmail businesses.

People have the right to withdraw their labor, not to vandalise the opposition.

With Australia becoming so right wing, it's only a matter of time till the right wing politicians give police police the powers to shoot protesters who block entrances, traffic and people. We'll be no different than Egypt. The more radical the politicians become, the more radical the protesters will be in return. Think it can't happen in Australia? Don't bet on it.

We'll be no different than Egypt.
Nhoj,
Some Australians, the likes of you are already stupid enough to be like those Egyptians.