A Melbourne port operator has shared dramatic video footage of the pro-Palestinian protesters attacking one of his trucks at the Victoria International Container Terminal in Webb Dock last Friday.
The operator, who preferred not to be named, said he was $2000 out of pocket due to two damaged tyres and the time the truck had to be parked up.
“The police were supposed to call me on Friday or the weekend but no one did so I went to the Footscray police and did a statement.
“They told me Melbourne West Police were handling it and they would be in touch so I could send them the footage, but I’ve heard nothing [as of Tuesday, November 26].”
The footage clearly shows the masked protesters arriving on the scene in two Budget rental trucks and unloading an array of assorted junk and tyres that they used to light a fire.
About 10 of the protesters surround one of the operator’s trucks but he later learned from police that there were closer to 30 protesters at the scene.
The operator still can’t fathom why the protesters were targeting the trucks at that time.
“We rang the wharf to see if there was an Israeli ship but there wasn’t. They’ve done that in the past when there was an Israeli ship.
“It was coming but whether they got their timing wrong…
“But it was all pre-meditated. For them to hire two Budget trucks and load up crates and shopping trollies and all that to stop the passage of traffic, it’s got to be all organised.”
The operator hopes more can be done to stop stamp out this type of action before someone gets seriously hurt.
Neil Chambers, director of peak body, Container Transport Alliance Australia, said this latest incident shows the clear, premeditated intent of the protesters to come armed with these types of devices with the sole aim of causing criminal damage.
“It’s certainly a very worrying development that the protesters are being ‘schooled’ in how to damage and disable heavy vehicles,” Chambers said.
“I’m assuming that the company drivers of the vehicles targeted were told to stay in their cabs and not confront the protesters.
“However, I could envision an instance where a “subbie” gets protective of their own truck and trailing equipment and has the incentive to “have a go”.
“That could end badly for all concerned, and we don’t want that to happen.”
Big Rigs has contacted Victoria Police for comment.