Victoria Visa crackdown: Operation Fortitude cancelled following community outrage
Protesters against the Australian Border Force's visa crackdown operation closed down the intersection of Flinders and Swanston streets in Melbourne today as they sought to prevent visas from being randomly checked on the streets of Melbourne on Friday and Saturday night.
As part of the multi-agency operation to eliminate crime in the city, Australian Border Force officers were set to work alongside Victorian Police at various check posts around Melbourne's CBD. On Friday morning, the force declared that it would be "speaking to any individuals we cross paths with".
It would mainly target “everything from anti-social behaviour to outstanding warrants,” reported the West Australian.
Although they later clarified their statement, saying “we will not stop people at random in the streets”, the online backlash had opened the floodgates and protesters flocked to Flinders Street station where a press conference was to be held at 2 pm.
The press conference was immediately called off and Victorian police declared half an hour later that the visa crackdown operation stood cancelled, citing safety issues following the community outrage on the streets.
Protestors chanted, "off our streets!". Source: The Guardian
The Victorian police has since issued a statement saying, "We understand there has been a high level of community interest and concern which has been taken into consideration when making this decision.”
They pointed out that the decision was made to keep safety and the wellbeing of the community as the priority, and confirmed that it would continue working with the agencies to process further talks.
"We have been contacted by Border Force members deeply concerned about the way their work has been politicised raising safety concerns about the public reaction," said Community and Public Sector Community’s National Secretary Nadine Flood.
However, Greens MP for Melbourne Adam Bandt said the operation could tarnish Melbourne’s reputation. "How will the Border Force distinguish between locals, visitors and visa holders?" he said.
Angry protesters also took to social media to criticise the move. Senator Snap tweeted, "Great... so that's that then... Just stop anyone that looks like a migrant and demand their papers.” However, regional commander Victoria and Tasmania for the ABF, Don Smith, said he was proud Border Force was taking part in the operation.
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