Victorian police union says officers treated like 'punching bags' at violent Melbourne anti-lockdown protests - ABC News

Ten officers were injured and six taken to hospital after hundreds of demonstrators at violent anti-lockdown protests attacked police on Saturday.

This morning, Victoria Police said all members had been discharged from hospital.

Mr Gatt said police officers yesterday became scapegoats for aggression initially directed towards the state government over its COVID restrictions.

Mr Gatt said while Victoria Police achieved its objective of stopping people travelling to the city, certain elements of the operation could have been better executed to keep officers safe.

Mr Gatt vehemently rejected suggestions that the force used was not justified.

Mr Gatt said the proportion of police response was not up for a moral debate. 

Mr Gatt urged Victorians to consider the impact of the protests on the state's stretched police force