Thursday, 12 September 2024

 Sonja TERPSTRA (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (18:36): (1153) My adjournment request this evening is to the Minister for Police, the Honourable Anthony Carbines in the other place. Over the last week we have seen violent protests take place outside the Land Forces expo, which is being held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in South Melbourne. As a trade unionist and a person who has engaged in many peaceful protests, I want to condemn in the strongest possible terms the violent acts of fascism and extremism that we have seen in recent days in Melbourne. This is not protesting; this is violent extremism underpinned by fascism, and the Greens political party are complicit in inciting these acts. In fact the part-time member for Richmond has appeared in numerous news broadcasts claiming credit for the protest. We saw masked protesters engaging in acts of extreme violence. Projectiles were hurled at police, who in working for the state of Victoria in keeping Victorians safe, deserve to go to work and come home without the threat of occupational violence and aggression. This is something that the intelligentsia and the Greens will never understand.

Rocks, bricks, horse poo, acid and other weapons were used. Innocent Victorians trying to get to their workplaces were prohibited from going about their daily routine. Journalists who were attending to report the news were also subject to occupational violence and aggression by the fascists attending. Additionally, violent acts of animal cruelty were committed, incited by the Greens, where police horses were targeted by individuals. Horses can weigh anywhere from 600 to 800 kilograms, and trying to attack with violence this large animal heightens the risk of extreme harm, even death, if the horse slipped and fell on people attending the protest or even those trying to get to work.

The action that I seek is for the minister to update me on the charges that have been laid against those who have committed acts of animal cruelty directed at police horses and violent occupational aggression towards police officers. I look forward to hearing the outcome of any investigation by the appropriate and relevant authorities and the identification of individuals who have engaged in such violent, fascist and extremist actions. They should be subject to the full force of the law.