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Prime Minister Scott Morrison has hit out at the thousands of Australians who attended rallies in cities and towns around the nation in a show of solidarity for the US Black Lives Matter movement and to call for an end to Aboriginal deaths in custody.
The PM told 3AW’s Neil Mitchell there was “no doubt” the government would have been easing COVID-19 restrictions sooner if not for last Saturday's protests, adding those who protest again this weekend should be charged.
“I really do think they should (be charged),” Mr Morrison said.
“The issues of last weekend were very difficult, but I think people carrying it on now, it’s not about that. It’s about political people pushing a whole lot of other barrows now, and it puts others lives and livelihoods at risk.”
The PM accused protesters of being selfish, after a Victorian man who attended a rally in Melbourne tested positive for coronavirus.
“Millions of quiet Australians have done the right thing and they didn’t seem to be that concerned about their health, or their businesses, or their jobs,” Mr Morrison said.
“People who would turn up to a rally this weekend would be showing great disrespect to their neighbours. It’s a free country and we have our liberties but the price of that liberty is exercising it responsibly.”
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