Victoria's "tinfoil hat-wearing" brigade has been savaged for planning an anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne.
A 76-year-old Windsor man has been arrested and charged with incitement after a police investigation into the planned 5 September rally.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius said the rally was set up to protest Melbourne Stage 4 restrictions among other things.
"Participating in this proposed protest would be a serious and blatant breach of the chief health officer's directions and it jeopardises the health of the entire community," he told reporters.
Mr Cornelius said the protest carried a serious risk of undoing the hard work of the vast majority of Victorians.
"The tinfoil hat-wearing brigade are alive and well in our community," he told reporters on Friday.
"They're taking every opportunity to leverage the current situation to serve their own ridiculous notions about so-called sovereign citizens, about constitutional issues and about how 5G is going to kill your grandkids.
"It's bats*** crazy nonsense."
It comes as police deal with a daily protest in suburban Melbourne.
Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius Source: AAP
Hundreds of people have been gathering in and around Dandenong's George Andrews Reserve since Monday.
Two people were arrested at Thursday's assembly, with a total 17 fines issued.
Since Monday, police have made nine arrests and handed out 48 fines at the Dandenong protest.
Mr Cornelius says people are trying to play the "innocent card" when approached by police and wasting their resources.
"That's why this behaviour is so selfish," he said.
The protest is also illegal under Melbourne's current Stage 4 lockdown and the assistant commissioner is vowing to stamp it out.
Metropolitan Melbourne residents are subject to Stage 4 restrictions and must comply with a curfew between the hours of 8pm and 5am. During the curfew, people in Melbourne can only leave their house for work, and essential health, care or safety reasons.
Between 5am and 8pm, people in Melbourne can leave the home for exercise, to shop for necessary goods and services, for work, for health care, or to care for a sick or elderly relative.
All Victorians must wear a face covering when they leave home, no matter where they live.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
