Name: Heavily armed police deployed to MCG ahead of Boxing Day test
Uploaded: 2025-12-22T06:23:06.410Z
Duration: 2 min 8 s
Description: Victoria Police have increased armed security outside the MCG ahead of the Boxing Day Test, a precaution they say is necessary after the Bondi massacre.

Victoria Police have increased armed security outside the MCG ahead of the Boxing Day Test, a precaution they say is necessary after the Bondi massacre.

Melbourne

A heightened police presence, including officers armed with semi-automatic rifles, has been deployed outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) ahead of a major national cricket test. Authorities state this measure is a precaution in response to the current threat environment, not a reaction to any specific new threat, and may become standard at other large events such as the Australian Open.

The Victorian Government has introduced a five-step plan to combat hate, which includes pressuring social media companies to reveal the identities of online trolls and granting police powers to stop protests after terror attacks. Recent events in Melbourne, including a mural honoring a Bondi attack hero and police intervention at a disrupted vigil, highlight ongoing community tensions and efforts to maintain public safety.

Heavily armed police deployed to MCG ahead of Boxing Day test

A formidable show of force outside Australia's biggest stadium ahead of one of our nation's most treasured tests. I think it's a sellout and we want to make sure everyone who comes here isn't just safe but feels safe. Police equipped with loaded long arm semi-automatic rifles will be part of the wrapped up security outside the MCG. The move cautionary after the Bondi massacre. We are not doing this in response to any new or specific threat. It's very much in relation to the current threat environment. It's overt presence, not something typically seen here in Australia. In many ways it's reassuring. If they've got to do it nowadays, they've got to do it. I mean it is what it is. Makes you feel safer to see? Definitely, yes. I think not welcomed because it is sort of a harsh sight isn't it, but necessary. This increased level of security and visibility of weapons could be the new normal. Victoria Police is also considering taking the measure at the Australian Open and other big events. And the Victorian Government has today announced its own measures to crack down on hate with a five step plan, including pushing social media companies to reveal the identities of online trolls and granting police powers to stop protests following terror attacks. This is not a Jewish problem to fix. This is everyone's problem and everyone's responsibility. Recognition for the Bondi Beach terror is on full display around Melbourne with sights lit and a mural of hero Ahmed Al Ahmed appearing in a city laneway. The heartbreak for what happened is uniform, but has failed to unify. Just last night, protesters disrupted a vigil for the Jewish community in Pran. You're breaching the peace? Move on. I'm not breaching anything. Move on now. No way. Don't go back. I want my boxes now. Police forced to step in, moving the group on. Steph Baumgartel, 10 News.

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