Monica Smit | |
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| Born | 1983 or 1984 (age 40–41)[1] |
| Known for | Anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown protester |
| Part of a series on |
| Far-right politics in Australia |
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Monica Smit (born c. 1984) is an Australian anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown protester.[2][3][1] She is the founder of Reignite Democracy Australia (RDA), an anti-lockdown and COVID-19 conspiracy group.[4] Smit gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic as a critic of the Victorian Government's response.[5][6]
In August 2021, Victoria police charged Smit with 5 offences after she attended, and allegedly incited others to attend, anti-lockdown protests.[3] She initially refused to accept her bail conditions, resulting in her being remanded in custody.[3] After Smit's detention, her then-partner organised a crowdfunding campaign to support her legal defence.[7] The campaign raised A$247,000 in five days.[7] She spent 22 days in custody before agreeing to bail conditions.[6][7] In July 2022 the incitement charges were withdrawn.[8][9]
In October 2023, Smit and RDA were charged by Consumer Affairs Victoria with failing to register a fundraiser purportedly for Smit's legal defence.[10][11] In May 2024, both Smit and RDA were found guilty for running the unregistered fundraiser.[10] In 2022 she indicated that she was going to take legal action against Victoria Police, for false imprisonment in relation to arrests which occurred during COVID-19 protests.[12] In September 2024, Smit was awarded $4,000 after the County Court of Victoria found in her favour. She, however, had costs of about $250,000 awarded against her because she turned down a $15,000 pre-trial settlement offer and proceeded to trial.[6][13]
- ^ a b Paynter, Jack (4 September 2021). "How reality TV wannabe became Melbourne anti-vax leader arrested by police". News.com.au. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- ^ Lawrence, Naomi (28 October 2024). "Sky News Hosts Are Calling For Surveillance Of School Classrooms To Monitor Trans Issues". Star Observer. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ a b c Cooper, Adam (1 September 2021). "'Freedom activist' stays in custody after refusing to sign bail conditions". The Age. Archived from the original on 14 December 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Baker, Richard; Towell, Noel; Fox Koob, Simone (30 July 2021). "'Freedom' activists aim to harness anger for new political party". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 25 June 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Davies, Anne (9 January 2021). "How an anti-mask firebrand fans the right's flames against Dan Andrews online". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ a b c Chung, Frank (13 September 2024). "'How is that fair?': Anti-lockdown protester Monica Smit ordered to pay $200,000 after winning unlawful arrest case". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ a b c Paynter, Jack; Schelle, Caroline (8 September 2021). "How anti-vax leader Monica Smit made $50k a day in custody". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Timms, Hugo (5 September 2022). "Reignite Democracy founder Monica Smit fights charges". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 5 September 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Towell, Noel (31 October 2023). "Covid 'freedom' activist Smit back in court over legal fighting fund". The Age. Archived from the original on 5 November 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ a b Beatty, Liam (3 May 2024). "Monica Smit: Melbourne anti-lockdown activist found guilty for unlawful fundraiser". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Beatty, Liam (22 January 2024). "Monica Smit: Anti-vax activist to fight $86,000 unlawful fundraiser allegations". The Australian. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Timms, Hugo (9 December 2022). "Judge questions case against anti-lockdown activist". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Cucchiara, Sam (September 2024). "Anti-lockdown activist wins court case but forced to pay police lawyer fees". Nine News. Archived from the original on 13 December 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.