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Revealed: Why Melbourne is predicted to become a ‘global embarrassment’ on Australia Day

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There are fears that a collision of protests could mar the final day of the Australian Open on Sunday (pictured, last year's men's singles winner Jannik Sinner, left, with Jim Courier, center, and runner-up , Daniil Medvedev).

A top radio star has predicted Melbourne will become an “international embarrassment” on January 26 due to anti-Australia Day protests taking place on the final day of the Australian Open.

On Sunday, the Grand Slam’s main event, the men’s singles final, will fall on Australia Day, which has become a topic of controversy and division in recent years.

news corporation has reported that merchants in Melbourne’s CBD expect 30,000 protesters to descend on the city despite the Victorian premier’s warnings to stay away, and it won’t just be Change the Date activists.

The Victorian Chapter of Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance has organized a march from Parliament House to Federation Square.

Pro-Palestinian protesters from the Disrupt Wars group are also expected to march on Sunday.

The ABC has reported that Victoria Police said they are aware of a separate, smaller planned protest near the Australian Open, which is understood to have been organized by a far-right group.

There are fears that a collision of protests could mar the final day of the Australian Open on Sunday (pictured, last year’s men’s singles winner Jannik Sinner, left, with Jim Courier, center, and runner-up , Daniil Medvedev).

The Victorian Chapter of Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance will launch an Australia Day protest in Melbourne's CBD on January 26.

The Victorian Chapter of Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance will launch an Australia Day protest in Melbourne’s CBD on January 26.

Palestine supporters are also expected to flock to Melbourne's CBD.

Palestine supporters are also expected to flock to Melbourne’s CBD.

Australian radio and television presenter Jacqui Felgate told 3AW listeners that mass protests will ruin one of the best days on the national sports calendar, before the eyes of the world watching.

“The Australia Day protests are a total disgrace, a global disgrace,” he said.

‘Having these wild groups of protesters targeting tennis on the last day.

‘We are very lucky to have the Australian Open here. It is one of the jewels in our sporting crown.

‘Can you imagine if we had tens of thousands of people demonstrating outside Melbourne Park on Australia Day?

‘The eyes of the sporting world are on the Rod Laver Arena. Just think about having 30,000 people protesting Australia Day and pro-Palestinian activists and whatever else they’re angry about.

“It’s time for the minority to stop embarrassing the majority.”

Felgate said he is actually in favor of changing the date of Australia Day, but wanted to see a different approach from campaigners rather than focusing on the Australian Open.

Australian TV presenter and radio host Jacqui Felgate (pictured) told 3AW the protests will turn Australia into an international embarrassment.

Australian TV presenter and radio host Jacqui Felgate (pictured) told 3AW the protests will turn Australia into an international embarrassment.

Felgate believes Australian fans will stay away from the CBD and Melbourne Park to avoid protesters.

Felgate believes Australian fans will stay away from the CBD and Melbourne Park to avoid protesters.

‘For people like me, I think the date of Australia Day should be changed. For me it is an unimportant date and obviously it is very traumatic for some people,” he said.

‘Move the date, okay. But holding the city to ransom is not the way to do it.

‘You think about the families, business people and tourists who are having a good day in our city, the best time of year for companies that have tried to keep going in difficult economic times.

‘People are staying away because of the protesters.

‘We should be proud of our city. We used to be. “It now has the reputation of being the protest capital of the world.”

Felgate also called for the Victorian state government to adopt a permit system, like the current system used in New South Wales.

‘And you know what else? “I’m tired of talking about the permit system, the government and the opposition’s reluctance to introduce one,” she said.

‘They do it (a protest permit system) in Sydney and it works. We know it. We know that pro-Palestinian protesters negotiated with the state government when they were going to hold a protest in front of a synagogue, and they moved it.

‘Then why not? Brad Battin, the leader of the opposition, will be appearing on the show shortly and I think it’s a very good opportunity for the opposition to draw a line in the sand here.

‘Tell me, what do we represent in this city? Because we’ve spent too much time having this debate.’

Victoria Police will be out in force on Australia Day.

“Victoria Police has been extensively planning for Australia Day and associated community events and demonstrations,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

‘We are well prepared for all major events and will have a highly visible presence across the CBD to ensure they can occur safely.

‘The general duty police will be supported by the Mounted Branch, Highway Patrol, Bicycle Patrol Unit, Public Order Response Team, traffic police and PSOs throughout the day and night.

“There will be a number of traffic management points across the city so we ask people to be patient, plan their journey and allow extra time for travel.”

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