Public transport shutdown planned to thwart protests

Police are planning to temporarily shut down public transport this weekend to prevent protesters from travelling into the Melbourne CBD for anti-lockdown protests.

The Victorian Council for Civil Liberties has criticised the decision in a public statement on Twitter, describing the shutdown as "military-style".

"As COVID numbers continue to rise, we do not support large public gatherings that don't engage in mask-wearing and social distancing, including protests," the statement said.