Victorian Upper House MP Tim Quilty has stated he will be getting vaccinated for COVID-19, at a public gathering for Reignite Democracy Australia.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The group was behind anti-lockdown protests in Melbourne.
Organisers Morgan C. Jonas and Monica Smit were invited by a Wodonga supporter and held speeches outside Cafe Grove on Saturday.
Mr Quilty agreed to march with organisers if the border was closed again and said the Liberal-Democrats would introduce a private member's bill to limit the government's ability to use state of emergency powers.
"Having used these emergency powers once, the government is going to do it again and again for less and less of a reason," he said.
"I think we have to fight to keep the government small every day, or it will take over every aspect of our lives.
"I should take a moment to say what I'm not standing for.
"I'm not a COVID-denier, there is a virus, it has killed a lot of people.
"I'm not going to quibble about tests and diagnostics - there has been a big jump in excess deaths across the world.
"I fully plan to personally get a COVID vaccine when I'm allowed to and I encourage others to do so."
Mr Quilty was drowned out by 'boos' and went on to say he was "pro-choice".
"It's your body, it's your choice. What I will not stand for is compulsory vaccination," he said.
The Commonwealth has stated there will not be mandatory vaccinations, but Ms Smit raised settings in which vaccination would be required for participation.
"Winter is coming, with winter comes flu symptoms (and) with flu symptoms comes COVID, so, there will probably be border closures," she said.
"We all know that we're being conditioned psychologically.
"The masks obviously don't protect us, it's just a way for us to die a little bit inside, then with vaccinations, if you have to take it to go to a overseas trip, you die a little bit inside and lose a bit of your identity.
"We know that that's happening. But what they didn't count on is us.
"There's more people at home to support us and this group is growing massively."
IN OTHER NEWS:
Face masks are no longer mandatory in most settings in Victoria, but the government states "evidence is clear wearing a face covering makes a real difference in slowing the spread of the virus".
The Reignite Democracy Australia group, which claims to be non-partisan, chose Wodonga as its first regional location to visit and intends to have a presence at the Kiewa Street markets in Albury.
Victoria Police members observed Saturday's gathering, which attracted about 80 people.