Concerns Melbourne protest won’t de-escalate

There are concerns the protests in Melbourne are not going to de-escalate, as the several hour march through the city’s CBD turns into a blockage on the West Gate Freeway. Inbound traffic on the freeway is significantly banked up by approximately 6km, according to some reports. Police have used rubber bullets, tear gas and pepper spray in attempts to disperse the crowd. They are thought to be protesting the mandatory vaccine implemented for the construction industry, and the snap lockdown of the industry announced by Premier Daniel Andrews last night.