THE company behind right-wing Canadian commentator Lauren Southern’s Australian tour has refused to pay a $68,000 security bill, accusing Victoria Police of “enabling the thugs’ veto”.
Axiomatic Events was sent an invoice for police services after violent left-wing protesters targeted the Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux Live event in Melbourne on July 20, closing roads and assaulting officers.
A similar bill was sent to Penthouse magazine after violent scenes outside a Milo Yiannopoulos event in December last year. That bill has also not been paid.
In a statement on Monday, Axiomatic Events director Dave Pellowe said he was concerned paying the “crippling” bill would create a dangerous precedent. “The Andrews Government has the gall to call this ‘user pays’ policing, but the reality is that it’s victim-blaming,” Mr Pellowe said.
“Our event was a normal-sized crowd in a venue that routinely hosts such crowds. We broke no laws and went above and beyond to co-operate with police, and greatly appreciate the work they do.
“But if Police Minister Lisa Neville is looking for creative ways to fundraise for Victoria Police she can keep looking.
“The fair and just way to go about it would be to issue a $1000 fine to every thug who blocked the highway, who abused and intimidated the mums, dads and kids who came along, who damaged private property and turned Melbourne into a Berkeley war zone.
“Sending us the bill for their lawlessness appears to be simply enabling the thugs’ veto.”
“The fair and just way to go about it would be to issue a $1000 fine to every thug who blocked the highway, who abused and intimidated the mums, dads and kids who came along, who damaged private property
Good on Axiomatic Events for telling the Victoria police to get stuffed
Make these Antifa dip shits pay for it
They were the ones who created the trouble Not Lauren Southern
I’d tell the Victoria police to go feck themselves.
As they did. The point is, the Victoria Police don’t have a plan B.
This is nothing but laughable as well as surprising for Australia to try and pull off a stunt like this. Talk about creativity to collect sizeable funding for revenue.
Elephant in the room.
“..and turned Melbourne into a Berkeley war zone.” Had to laugh at Berkeley being a war zone…
Obviously never seen a real war zone!
Wow! Punish the victims and let the thugs go free? This is insane! What about sending the bill to those who rioted and caused the damage and were violent?
Agreed. Left v Right or whatever it is has reached a tipping point.