Major Landside Disruptions Continue in the Port of Melbourne

The protestors seemingly have no regard for the impact that their actions have on law-abiding container logistics workers who are just trying to go about their business of maintaining vital supply chain services to keep every Australian’s way of life sustained. A private Members’ Bill introduced into the Victorian Parliament on 7 March by the Shadow Minister for Ports and Freight, Roma Britnell, to define the Port of Melbourne as critical infrastructure and mandate its inclusion in the Victorian Critical Infrastructure Register, was voted down on party lines. There is now debate about whether Victoria should adopt similar laws to NSW requiring an application to be made to Police containing all relevant information about any protest, including the date, the time, the place, and the route for the protest. In NSW, the written notice must also indicate the number of people who are expected to participate and must identify the person taking responsibility for organising and conducting the protest. People have the right to engage in peaceful protests. However, there is a countervailing right not to impede the rights of other people, such as the right to the freedom of movement.