Vic mosque protesters await court decision

The future of a controversial mosque that triggered ugly scenes at a Victorian council meeting could soon be decided in the Supreme Court.

Bendigo protests

Source: SBS

Opponents of the construction of a mosque in country Victoria will soon learn whether they can take their appeal to the Supreme Court.

The Greater Bendigo council approved the mosque in 2014, but protesters shut down Wednesday's council meeting with a rowdy, abuse-laden tirade in the town hall.

The meeting was abandoned and the mayor had to be escorted under police guard.

Objectors took their case to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) but failed to have the mosque's approval overturned.

They are now seeking leave to appeal VCAT's decision in the Victorian Supreme Court.

The court is expected to decide next week whether leave for an appeal will be granted.

If refused, construction of the mosque can begin.

Mayor Peter Cox says the objectors' case is weak, and is adamant the mosque will go ahead.

"We won't back down," Mr Cox told AAP on Thursday.

"It might be an important point where they (protesters) have exhausted all their processes and the mosque will go ahead."

Security measures at future council meetings will be tightened and the council will pick another date to deal with more than 200 pages of planning permits and other matters not dealt with at the abandoned meeting.

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews described the scenes at the council meeting as ugly.

"Our multiculturalism, our multi-faith community, is our greatest strength," he said.

"I can't understand why anybody would be protesting against people being able to express their faith, to celebrate their culture, the things they believe in.

"I think they were ugly scenes and they don't do Victorians any credit at all."

Groups supporting and opposing the mosque clashed in Bendigo in August and another street protest is planned in October.


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Source: AAP


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