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Channel 7 reporter Paul Dowsley sprayed with ‘urine’ by protesters in Melbourne

Jack PaynterNCA NewsWire
Video7NEWS reporter Paul Dowsley responds after being attacked by Melbourne protesters

A star Channel 7 reporter has been attacked and sprayed with what he believes is urine during Melbourne’s ugly tradie protest.

Reporter Paul Dowsley was covering the second day of protests over mandatory vaccinations as demonstrators marched from CFMEU headquarters to Parliament House.

Dowsley and his cameraman were set upon by an angry mob as they made their way past towards Parliament House, he said during a live cross with the 7 News studio just after the incident.

“There was a group there who certainly targeted us a few minutes ago,” he said.

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Video7NEWS reporter Paul Dowsley attacked by protesters in Melbourne

“We were standing on a seat trying to get an elevated view as the protest group walked past.

“A few in that crowd had it in for mainstream media. A man came from the side, grabbed me around the neck and others then joined in and a scuffle.

Channel 7 reporter Paul Dowsley on air after being attacked. 7 News
Camera IconChannel 7 reporter Paul Dowsley on air after being attacked. 7 News Credit: Supplied

“The outcome of that was Rick, my cameraman colleague, and myself, now being covered in what I believe is urine.

“I believe that this has been thrown in my mouth, it’s all over me.”

Dowsley said a couple of protesters came back after the attack and said “I hope you’re OK, that is not what were about”, and they were absolutely appalled by it.

Moments later Dowsley was hit again with a protester throwing a can of drink into the back of his head.

Channel 7 reporter Paul Dowsley was attacked by protesters at Tuesday's rally. 7 News
Camera IconChannel 7 reporter Paul Dowsley was attacked by protesters at Tuesday's rally. 7 News Credit: Supplied

Victorian Trades Hall Council secretary Luke Hilakari condemned the attack on Dowsley.

“Paul is a worker doing his job. Attacking him is disgusting,” he said on Twitter.

“We condemn this. Every worker should come home safely.”

A second video showed Dowsley being hit again - the second time with a can of drink.

Chaos has descended on Melbourne’s street for the second day in a row, with hundreds of protesters dressed in fluoros rallying against mandatory vaccinations for construction workers and the immediate shutdown of the industry.

The Victorian government move swiftly to shutdown the sector overnight following the wild rally outside the CFMEU offices on Monday.

Protesters again tried to get to the Elizabeth St building on Tuesday but were headed off by a large police presence.

Demonstrators have hurled projectiles at the union’s Melbourne headquarters during a protest on Monday.

There was a tense standoff for about an hour before the angry mob marched to Parliament House and demanded Premier Daniel Andrews come out.

Protesters chanted “f*** the jab” and sat down on the road, but police had so far prevented them from getting near the CFMEU building.

Signs with “Setka the sellout” and “f*** u Andrews” were also visible.

About 11am, riot police warned protesters to move on or face the use of force.

Union boss John Setka labelled some of the protesters “drunken morons” and “extremists” and claimed only a small minority were actually union members.

He vowed to hunt down those responsible for “desecrating” their office during ugly anti-vax protests.

jack.paynter@news.com.au

Originally published as Channel 7 reporter Paul Dowsley sprayed with ‘urine’ by protesters in Melbourne

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