Ballarat's construction industry has been ordered to shut down immediately after a day of violent union protest in Melbourne's CBD.
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According to Master Builders Victoria, an immediate closure was ordered on Monday night, mandating the industry come to a two-week halt in all currently locked down areas of Victoria.
The shutdown, effective as of 11.59am Monday, includes all of Melbourne, as well as Ballarat, Geelong, Surf Coast and the Mitchell Shire on the city's northern fringes.
Any shutdown is expected to only last as long as lockdowns are in place in each area.
Master Builders Victoria made the announcement on Facebook, with the government confirming late last night.
Industrial Relations Minister Tim Pallas late on Monday confirmed the two-week shutdown from 11.59pm for metropolitan Melbourne, City of Ballarat, City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire and Mitchell Shire.
"We've been clear: if you don't follow the rules, we won't hesitate to take action - we have seen widespread non-compliance across the industry and that's why we're taking necessary steps to protect every single Victorian," he said in a statement.
"We put the industry on notice just a week ago, we have seen appalling behaviour on-site and on our streets, and now we're acting decisively and without hesitation."
The situation followed wild scenes outside the Melbourne headquarters of the CFMEU, but also relates to increasing COVID concerns within the industry.
Riot police used rubber bullets and pepper spray to disperse an angry mob protesting against mandatory vaccines for construction workers, but the union says the protest was overtaken by "neo-Nazi's and right wing extremists", rather than CFMEU members.
Victoria Police say several people were arrested as the crowd "grew increasingly hostile" during the protest that began before 9am on Monday.
Hundreds of construction workers wearing high-vis, and their supporters, stormed the building, protesting against new mandatory vaccination rules for the building industry.
The protest escalated when two union officials, including Victorian construction branch secretary John Sekta, came outside the Elizabeth Street office to speak to protesters just before midday.
Mr Setka was met with boos and insults from the crowd, while some protesters hurled bottles.
"Please calm down. Can you at least give me the respect to talk? We're not the enemy, I don't know what you have heard," he told protesters.
"I have never, ever said I support mandatory vaccination."
Once Mr Setka went back inside, the protesters smashed a glass door to the building.
Later bottles were thrown at the already smashed glass entrance doors.
Protesters also turned against each other, with a number of small fights breaking out within the crowd of bright orange and yellow.
The Victorian branch of the union released a statement just after 4pm, saying it has always supported freedom of choice regarding vaccination.
"We are not going to be intimidated by outside extremists attempting to intimidate the union, by spreading misinformation and lies about the union's position," the statement said.
"The CFMEU will always advocate for safety, jobs, and freedom of choice."
CFMEU national construction secretary released a statement on Monday night accusing the crowd of being "infiltrated by neo-Nazis and other right wing extremist groups".
"It is clear that a minority of those who participated were actual union members," Dave Noonan said.
Chanting "f*** the jab", those protesting are against having to show proof of their vaccination to be allowed back on building sites, with some saying they would rather the entire construction industry be shut down.
There had been a 25 per cent cap on the industry's workforce in Victoria, with tradies required to have had their first dose of a vaccine by this Thursday in order to be allowed back to work.
It is unclear whether all of those protesting are construction workers, after a message on the Melbourne Freedom Rally Telegram group encouraged anti-lockdown protesters to join them.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the protests were "not smart, they are not safe".
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