Melbourne protest a "success"

Organisers for the protest against Melbourne's radical drinking laws have marked the movement a success. An estimated three to five thousand protesters marched to the steps of Parliament house on May 30, venting their anger against a 2am curfew.



Organisers have said they intend to keep up the fight. The crowd cheered when told by Brian Frewin from the Association of Liquor Licensees of Melbourne that a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) decision means 50 venues are exempt from the ban, with further exemptions expected to take place in the coming days.

Source: ABC & The Age. Photo courtesy of Sarah Jackson.

Protest against Melbourne's radical drinking laws this Friday

Billed by the promoters as "one of the largest protests in Generation Y’s history", a protest is planned at Parliament house this Friday the 30th of May at 5pm. Spurred on from the surprise trial law restricting access to a majority of venues from 2am, the protest plans to visually demonstrate those opposed to the plan.

Visit Melbourne Locked Out for more information.

(The picture is taken from the associated Facebook group.)

Cabbies block Swanston and Flinders Street intersection

A group of around 300 Melbourne taxi drivers have blocked trams and road-traffic in the CBD as they closed off the intersection at Flinders and Swanston Streets from 6pm yesterday. The protests are for driver compensation, safety and respect. The catalyst being the violent stabbing of 23 year-old Jalvinder Singh, who is in a serious but stable condition in the Royal Melbourne Hospital. The protesting cabbies demands have been listed verbatim by The Age:

"- Compensation for the victim and severe punishment for the criminal.
- Safety Screens should be a part of taxi Road Worthy.
- Taxi should be pre-paid round the clock.
- Special protection should be provided at specific railways stations and suburbs after hours prone to safety issues with people.
- All the complaints by migrants should be seriously adhered to by the Police.
- All the infringements for parking given to taxis during protest should be taken back."

Source: The Age & News.com.au