Speakers addressed a range of issues, including the government’s proposed National Electricity (Victoria) Amendment (VicGrid Stage 2 Reform) Bill 2025, which would grant authorised officers from government transmission infrastructure body VicGrid the power to enter private property without the consent of landowners.
Other targets of protest included mining operations proposed on farming land and the State Government’s Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, ESVF, levy.
Mr Weidemann said he had been ‘blown away’ by the number of people who attended the rally after predicting a smaller crowd than the one that protested the ESVF’s introduction in May.
“They think there was well over 1000 people here – that’s fantastic,” he said.
“We’d rather be home farming than standing here on the steps of the Victorian Parliament trying to work out why we’re here.
“It’s all because of this government’s attack on rural communities, but also Victorians in general with this proposed legislation that they’re talking about bringing into play.
“We will be back at some point because we can see this government just is not listening, and the only way it’s going to listen is through people power and groups forming and being united.”
Mr Weidemann said the protest was about making the government accountable – a message he said was resonating with people from across Victoria.
“One of the key things about this rally that’s different is there’s so many Melbourne people here,” he said.
“We’re starting to break down that barrier – it’s not just about rural Victoria, it’s about people here in the city as well.”
See next week’s edition of the Advertiser for more on the protest.
