An anti-vaccination protester has been charged with seriously assaulting a police officer, while two others have been charged with obstructing police, after a protest in North Queensland.
The so-called "freedom march" was organised for the Bluewater Quay park in Mackay on Saturday morning, but a group of protesters split off from the main group, marching to and through the nearby Caneland Central shopping centre.
Queensland Police say they were notified of an unauthorised rally at a local shopping centre on Matsura Drive about 11am.
"As officers approached the centre to assist security personnel, it will be alleged they were assaulted by a number of protesters," a Queensland Police Service (QPS) spokesperson said.
"Three men were arrested and charged and each has been bailed to appear in court in March."
Anti-vaccination groups posted about the confrontation on social media app Telegram.
Video footage shared online shows police and security blocking the entrance to the shopping centre from at least 100 protesters.
Chants of "let him go" were heard as police were seen taking a man into custody.
A 59-year-old man was charged with the serious assault of a police officer, obstructing police and public nuisance.
A 38-year-old man was charged with obstructing police and public nuisance, and fined for failing to comply with a COVID-19 public health direction.
A 52-year-old man was charged with obstructing police.
All three will appear in the Mackay Magistrates Court in March.
"Investigations continue with CCTV and police body-worn camera footage to be reviewed," the police spokesperson said.
The spokesperson would not comment on whether any of those arrested had tested positive to COVID-19.
"We note there is widespread community transmission at the moment," they said.
"We have procedures in place to mitigate risk to our members in relation to the ongoing pandemic including vaccinations, PPE [personal protective equipment] and testing.
'Mini brawls': shopkeeper
A shopkeeper, who works in a store close to where the protest happened, said she briefly feared for her safety.
"Little, mini brawls were happening between the public and protesters," she said.
"The protesters made it all the way down to the pop-up immunisation clinic in the centre.
"They tore shreds off [verbally] the nurses that were there … those poor nurses really copped it."
'Not going to storm the police station'
Rally organiser Christine Keys spoke to the crowd at the Bluewater Quay soon after the shopping centre incident.
"Every single thing that we do is going to be peaceful," she said in a video livestreamed on the rally's social media account.
"We are not going to storm the police station, we aren't going to lower our standards.
"We can be loud and proud and march through the streets, but we are not going to become lawless, aggressive or violent or abusive in any way."
The groups were protesting against Queensland's vaccine mandates and the recent introduction of voluntary COVID-19 vaccines for children.
The Queensland government says the vaccine is safe and effective and will protect people from COVID-19.
The main Bluewater Quay protest had been promoted by retiring Dawson MP George Christensen on his Facebook page and other social media accounts.
On one post he said he "certainly" would be attending the event, and event organisers promoted that he would be speaking at it.
The ABC is not suggesting Mr Christensen, or Ms Keys, had anything to do with the events at Caneland Central.
Mr Christensen is no stranger to anti-vaccination rallies in Mackay, having spoken at several of them in the past.
The backbencher has come under fire in recent days for calling on parents not to vaccinate their children against COVID-19, comments which Prime Minister Scott Morrison labelled as "dangerous".
The QPS spokesperson said the right to protest was a fundamental right in the state, but protest activity "must be undertaken in accordance with the laws of Queensland, which balance the rights of individuals, industry and community safety".
Queensland Police said the rally was unauthorised because a permit had not been applied for.
There are 2,226 active cases of COVID-19 in the Mackay health region, with 14 people in hospital and one in the intensive care unit.
About 93 per cent of residents in Mackay over 15 have received at least two doses of the vaccine, while over 95 per cent have received at least one dose.
Additional reporting by Melissa Maddison.
