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  • Victorian hospital exclusion-zone push

    Author: AAP

Exclusion zones could be set up outside Victorian hospitals following anti-vaccination demonstrations at the weekend.

Premier Daniel Andrews said his government will look at any proposals about how the zones could work, but is not considering formal plans just yet.

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"We will work with hospitals and our health unions to monitor that and to act on the very best advice," he told reporters at state parliament on Tuesday, describing the behaviour of protesters as "fundamentally wrong".

About 200 activists staged a demonstration outside the Royal Children's Hospital, Royal Women's Hospital and Royal Melbourne hospital on Saturday.

Police stood guard at an entrance to the pediatric hospital, escorting some families through the area so they could avoid the chaos.

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Safe access zones are currently in place around Victorian abortion clinics, banning protesters from getting within 150 metres, blocking nearby footpaths or harassing patients.

Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes confirmed she is considering whether hospitals need greater protections similar to those already in place for abortion clinics.

"We've seen calls for exclusion zones ... it's something that I'm keen to have a look at," she said.

"The public outcry would send a strong message to (the protesters) that this is not an appropriate way to voice your concerns."

"People are trying to visit their sick kid. Come on, you can choose more more appropriate environments (to make a protest)".

The Victorian opposition does not believe hospital exclusion zones would be the most effective way to deter future similar protests.

The Liberals' police spokesman Brad Battin said on Monday that controversial grounds scrapped by the Andrews government in 2015 allowing officers to give protesters "move on" orders should be reinstated.

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