Gladys Berejiklian ‘utterly disgusted’ by anti-lockdown protesters as case numbers hit a disturbing high

As NSW recorded 163 COVID-19 case numbers on Saturday, thousands of anti-lockdown protesters stormed Sydney CBD – and the premier was not impressed.

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has released a statement saying she is ‘utterly disgusted’ by Saturday’s anti-lockdown protests.

Thousands of angry, maskless protesters breached COVID-19 restrictions and took to Sydney CBD, demanding an end to the city’s lockdown.

“I am utterly disgusted by the illegal protesters in the City today whose selfish actions have compromised the safety of all of us,” her statement said.

“The protesters have shown utter contempt for their fellow citizens who are currently doing it tough.

“I want to thank the brave police officers who put their own safety on the line to ensure the protest action ceased.

“This type of activity during lockdown will not be tolerated and the full force of the law will be brought against anyone who engages in this type of illegal activity.”

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard slammed the super-spreader event as he acknowledged cases are going “through the roof”.

“We live in a democracy and normally I am certainly one who supports people’s rights to protest,” he said on Saturday.

“But at the present time we’ve got cases going through the roof and we have people thinking that it’s ok to get out there and possibly be close to each other at a demonstration.”

NSW recorded 163 cases on Saturday – the highest daily total since the Bondi cluster emerged on June 16,

Of the new cases, 45 were in the community while infectious.