Protesters have defied orders to stay home this Mother’s Day and have been met with a significant police request.
Melbourne’s Parliament House has been swarmed with protesters on Sunday picketing against vaccinations and a 5G network.
Photographs taken by AAP at the scene show multiple scuffles breaking out between protesters and police.
Health Minister Jenny Mikakos was asked to address the 300 protesters during her daily coronavirus update on Sunday.
She took particular exception to anti-vaccination protesters.
“Those individuals who are protesting today are at breach of the stay at home directive,” she said.
“I think it’s incredibly disappointing that we’ve got people protesting against vaccines, for example.
“I know that the whole of Australia, the whole world in fact, is waiting with great anticipation (for) a potential vaccine being developed for coronavirus.”
Social distancing restrictions still in place, not only in Victoria but across the country, mandate a 1.5-metre distance.
Fines of $1,652 apply to anyone contravening the rules.
In Victoria, there is to be no more than two people gathering outdoors at any time.
Hundreds of people chanted in advocacy of coronavirus being a conspiracy, Microsoft mogul Bill Gates being arrested and a repeal of lockdown restrictions.
Premier Daniel Andrews has repeatedly said the timeline for easing restrictions would be announced at the conclusion of a testing blitz.
