Thousands of motorcyclists gathered outside Victoria’s state parliament to protest the condition of the state’s roads, calling for urgent action over potholes they say have contributed to deadly crashes.
The riders held a silent tribute to four people who have died on Victorian roads after incidents involving potholes. The latest was Peter “Tiki” Mason, who came off his motorcycle on the Western Highway last month.
Rally organiser Michael White said the protesters had reached breaking point. “We’re here because of the bloody state of the roads and we’re sick of burying our mates,” he said.
Paul Povh, another organiser, said Mr Mason’s death had prompted a much larger response than politicians appeared to expect.
“A gentleman lost his life a few weeks ago and all of a sudden it became this big. They didn’t think it was going to be this big,” he said.
Among those attending was Ruth Hogarth, whose brother John died after hitting a pothole on the same stretch of road in 2024.
“I live in Gippsland and every time I drive back home, I’ve got to worry about where the next pothole is going to be and they come up out of nowhere,” she said.
The protest followed reports of hazardous conditions on roads leading into Rosedale, while other drivers said they had been forced to avoid dangerous potholes on Plumpton Road in Melbourne’s west.
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll faced questions over whether the government had left it too late to repair the roads. “I made it very clear to them that I will do everything I can to make sure our roads are as safe for everybody,” he said.
Liberal leader Jess Wilson was also confronted by protesters, with one telling her: “Your job is to watch out for us because you’re the only defence we’ve got against the government. That’s what opposition’s for. And you’ve not done your job.”
Ms Wilson could be in contention for the premiership when Victoria goes to the polls in November.
Mr White said the demonstration was not about party politics. “We’re not here because we care about Labour, Liberal, Greens, One Nation, anyone. We’re here because of the bloody state of the roads,” he said.
Mr Povh added: “Why has it taken for somebody else to lose their life? This was just the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
