‘It’s not appropriate’: Paul Guerra hits out at protest organisers planning to shut down Melbourne

VECCI chief executive, Paul Guerra has hit out at activists who are planning to shut down Melbourne next Monday, as part of a global protest.

He says he understands the right to protests but finds the protests ” unfortunate, and unnecessary”.

“This is not going to be good for business, not going to be good for workers, it’s not going to be good for the community … It [The protest] should be peaceful and respectful,” he told Heidi Murphy, filling in for Jacqui Felgate.

Press PLAY to hear his concerns + what is known about the upcoming protests

He’s called the decision made by the protestors to not share information with the police “un-Australian”.

“When we’re starting to hear things like ‘inflict maximum economic impact on business’, it’s not appropriate,” he said.

Victoria Police have said they’re prepared to respond to protest activity, and have pulled resources from a number of regional police stations.

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Image: Fatih Er/Anadolu via Getty Images