One of the protestors, Mike Larkin, said six police attended the protest, which he said was not arranged by national protest group "A stand in the park".
However, several businesses and homes in Benalla had flyers delivered promoting the protest, which carried "A stand in the park" logos.
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Those flyers carried misinformation about COVID-19 deaths and deaths as a result of vaccines, and seemed to have little affect on numbers - with less attending than the previous Sunday.
Benalla Police Station officer in charge Senior Sergeant Mark Byers said Benalla officers attended the protest.
“At the moment Victoria Police's role is to support the Chief Health Officer in relation to compliance around the COVID-19 restrictions,” Sen Sgt Byers said.
“Police received complaints about the protest that had been occurring next to Benalla Art Gallery.
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“When police attended there were six protestors there.
“One 56-year-old male was arrested and received an infringement notice in relation to breaching COVID-19 restrictions.
“The other protestors were spoken to and formally warned in relation to breaching COVID-19 restrictions.”
Sen Sgt Byers said while in attendance police informed protestors about the Victorian Equal Opportunities and Human Rights Commission's rules on protesting during the COVID-19 pandemic - which they were breaching.
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A statement on its website reads:
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health orders have limited the extent to which Victorians can gather together publicly to speak up on issues they care about. While Victoria’s Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities protects protest rights, these rights may be lawfully limited in a state of emergency.”
● If you would like more information on your right to protest during the COVID-19 pandemic visit www.humanrights.vic.gov.au/resources/explainer-protests-during-covid-19
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