Around 100 demonstrators stormed Parliament House on Spring Street in the city’s CBD on Sunday afternoon, to protest against 5G, vaccinations, Victoria’s lockdown restrictions and what they called the “coronavirus conspiracy”. 

A police officer was taken to hospital for what is believed to be a rib injury, Victoria Police said in a statement.

Two rally organisers were among the 10 arrests, most of them for breaking social distancing rules.

Police also used pepper spray while arresting one person.

Three people will be charged with assaulting a police officer, and another allegedly threw a bottle at officers.

Footage also appears to show one man punching an officer while he was leading a woman to a patrol car.

The protesters chanted; “The police do not have authority”, “Our law is the ultimate law”, and “No lockdown”.

Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said the protest was “incredibly disappointing”.

“Those people know that this pandemic is not fake news,” she said.

“We’ve had 18 Victorians lose their lives as a result of COVID-19.

“I know that there are many people who are feeling very sad today because they don’t have their mothers or their grandmothers with them whose lives were lost as a result of this virus.”

Police had earlier told protesters they were not allowed to go ahead with the rally because of the rules amid the pandemic.

They warned of further fines and other enforcement measures to come once they identify people.

“While Victoria Police respects the public’s right to protest, the health and safety of every Victorian needs to be our number one priority at this time,” they said in a statement.

“Police are continuing to investigate the events of today in order to identify other people who were in attendance.

“Once individuals are identified, we will be issuing them with fines and will consider any other enforcement options.”

Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said a number of conspiracy theorists had contacted him, describing their views as “nonsense”.

“It is complete nonsense,” he said.

“5G has got nothing at all to do with coronavirus.

“Similarly, I understand people have the right to protest, but they should not be breaching those social distancing rules and if they are, they should be held to account.”

Victoria has been in a state of emergency since March 16, with stage three restrictions designed to stop the spread of coronavirus in place.

Under the restrictions, Victorians are only supposed to leave their homes for food and supplies, medical care and caregiving, exercise, and work or education.

Premier Daniel Andrews is expected to make a series of announcements regarding the lifting of restrictions throughout the week, starting from today.