Rogues' Gallery at Today's Tunnel Picket outside MP Jennifer Kanis' Office

We assembled this morning in Peel Street just up from the Victoria Market in front of State Labor MP Jennifer Kanis' office. Although a 'Say No to the $8 Billion Tunnel' placard adorns her front window, we remain unconvinced about her commitment to the cause. Like her fellow State MPs, Richard Wynne and Jane Garrett, whose offices have also been graced by our picket, Jennifer Kanis needs to walk the walk not just talk the talk. She needs to promise that should the Labor Party win the election they will rip up the Tunnel contracts.

Media at today's picket

This morning's protest was a trip down memory lane for me because as a student in the 70s I used to live opposite Ms Kanis' abode at number 159:

159 Peel Street

Noticing the police on their bikes outside my old home reminded me of the other vehicles that used to grace that exact spot. Through the long hot summers of my youth Italian-speaking farmers from Mildura parked illegally for days at a time along Peel Street. They sold boxes of grapes off the backs of their trucks, where they slept until all the grapes were gone. All night long they played cards and drank grappa as the grapes slowly fermented in the heat. I remember lying in my front room bedroom savouring this nightly inadvertent trip to the Mediterranean, achieved without ever having to leave Peel street. How shocked my young self would have been to see their cheerful, rule-bending presence replaced by police scrutineers ready to pounce on peaceful protestors.
But the police did provide me with some amusement too today. As I took their photos, they responded by taking mine.

Fellow photographer on left

Obviously both sides are collecting exhibits for their respective rogues' galleries.
The other thing that made me smile was that the majority of the police were on bicycles this morning. I wondered if they were currying favour with us; or perhaps they have finally caught the bicycling bug? Or maybe they just figured that should any of us offend, they would be poised for rapid pursuit down the nearest bike path?

Tony discussing the Napthine government's dishonesty with fellow cyclists

I have just received a text message from the Socialist Party saying that the Labor Party is starting to waver and encouraging us all to demand that Labor move a motion to stop the Napthine government from signing the EWLink contracts. 
To do so simply email Daniel Andrews at daniel.andrews@parliament.vic.gov.au