| Monica Smit | |
|---|---|
 Police presence after an anti-lockdown protests in Melbourne in August 2021 | |
| Born | 1983 or 1984 (age 40–41)) |
| Known for | Anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown protester |
Monica Smit (born c. 1984) is an Australian anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown protester. She is the founder of Reignite Democracy Australia (RDA), an anti-lockdown and COVID-19 conspiracy group. Smit gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic as a critic of the Victorian Government's response.
In August 2021, Victoria police charged Smit with 5 offences after she attended, and allegedly incited others to attend, anti-lockdown protests. She initially refused to accept her bail conditions, resulting in her being remanded in custody. After Smit's detention, her then-partner organised a crowdfunding campaign to support her legal defence. The campaign raised $247,000 in five days. She spent 22 days in custody before agreeing to bail conditions. In July 2022 the incitement charges were withdrawn.
In October 2023, Smit and RDA were charged by Consumer Affairs Victoria with failing to register a fundraiser purportedly for Smit's legal defence. In May 2024, both Smit and RDA were found guilty for running the unregistered fundraiser. In 2022 she indicated that she was going to take legal action against Victoria Police, for unlawful arrests which occurred during COVID-19 protests. 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 pre-trial settlement offer and proceeded to trial.
Personal life and career
In 2017, Smit auditioned for Survivor. She advanced to the second round of casting but did not secure a spot on the show. In her audition video, Smit stated that she "didn't hate being the centre of attention". Prior to her audition she worked in sales for a decade.
Early activism and arrest
Smit founded Reignite Democracy Australia (RDA) in mid-2020, a lobby group opposing the policies of the Victorian government and then-Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, particularly concerning COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions. RDA used social media platforms to organise protests and encourage public dissent against government-imposed health measures. Smit’s gained significant attention in October 2020 when she drove a bus around Melbourne calling for the sacking of Daniel Andrews.
In August 2021, Smit was arrested and charged with two counts of incitement for allegedly encouraging others to breach public health orders by attending anti-lockdown protests. She was also charged with three counts of breaching the Chief Health Officer's Directions. Smit refused bail conditions that would have restricted her from further inciting the public to breach public health orders, resulting in her detention for 22 days. Victoria Police later dropped all incitement charges against Smit.
Fundraising and legal consequences
Upon Smit's remand in 2021, her ex-partner Morgan Jonas, also a critic of the Victorian government's COVID-19 response, launched a crowdfunding campaign aimed at covering her legal expenses. The campaign raised $247,000 within five days, despite some of Smit’s legal representation being provided pro bono.
In October 2023, Smit and RDA were charged by Consumer Affairs Victoria with failing to register a fundraiser. The campaign, had raised $86,000 between September 2021 and October 2022 for Smit's legal defence. Smits lawyers argued in court that the campaign did not meet the definition of a fundraiser. In May 2024, the Melbourne Magistrates' Court found both Smit and RDA guilty of running the unregistered fundraiser.
Lawsuit against Victoria Police
In 2022 Smit stated to media that she was going to take legal action against Victoria Police in response to her unlawful arrests during protests against COVID-19 lockdowns. Prior to the trial, she turned down a pre-trial settlement offer of $15,000. In September 2024, Smit was awarded $4,000 by the County Court of Victoria after it ruled that she had been unlawfully arrested on two separate occasions. However, Smit's decision to reject the pre-trial settlement led the court ordering her to pay about $250,000 for Victoria Police's legal costs.
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Paynter, Jack (4 September 2021). "How reality TV flop became anti-vaxxer". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2024.