Martin Pakula slams ‘disgraceful’ business abuse, details COVID-19 crowd plans for the summer

Victoria’s COVID-19 business recovery minister says it’s “disgraceful” businesses taking part in crowd trials for vaccinated people have been abused and threatened by anti-vaxxers.

Martin Pakula said the trials were crucial to getting the state back up and running.

“The idea that people who are doing their bit to help see what this vaccinated economy looks like, offering their businesses up for the trial, the fact they are getting abused by anti-vaxxers… it’s so disgraceful it barely merits description,” he said on 3AW.

“It’s just incredible.”

Mr Pakula also addressed criticism over 10,000 being able to attend the Melbourne Cup before children could return full-time to school.

“It is really important that we run these trials,” he said, pointing out the difference between the two could potentially only be a day.

Press PLAY below to Martin Pakula talk crowds and COVID-19 recovery