Millions March Against Mandatory Vaccination group gather in Sydney and Melbourne

Thousands of protesters have gathered in Sydney and Melbourne to fight against vaccine mandates. 

A large group gathered at Sydney’s Hyde Park at midday on Saturday after Health Minister Brad Hazzard granted exemptions to unvaccinated protesters to rally.

Mr Hazzard said organisers must ‘take reasonably practicable steps’ to ensure people attending the rally were not a close contact of a Covid case, ensure people wear a mask and socially distance.

A festival style stage was set-up nearby at St Mary’s Cathedral where protesters braved the rain to listen to music and speeches through loudspeakers. 

Controversial MP Craig Kelly was spotted among the crowd shaking hands and high-fiving demonstrators, a week after the United Australia Party member gave a dramatic speech at a previous anti-vaxx rally. 

South of the border crowds gathered on Melbourne’s state parliament steps against Covid vaccine mandates and the Andrews government’s controversial pandemic bill.

Sydney protesters attend the ‘Millions march against mandatory vaccinations’ after NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard granted an exemption for unvaccinated residents to attend rallies

Protesters blocked Spring Street in the state’s CBD brandishing banners and beating drums as they marched toward Bourke Street chanting ‘sack Dan Andrews’.

Independent MP Catherine Cumming made another appearance in the crowd as she was seen dancing to the music. 

On the Gold Coast One Nation leader Pauline Hanson is expected to be in attendance with her close colleague Malcolm Roberts.

Ms Hanson’s appearance comes after her vaccine discrimination bill – which sought to ‘protect’ Australians from mandates – failed in the senate this week. 

The Millions March Against Mandatory Vaccination group planned 30 protests in towns and cities across Australia. 

More to come