Thousands of Australians have vented their fury at state governments by holding dozens of coordinated 'silent protests' across the country against never-ending lockdowns and compulsory Covid-19 vaccination.

New South Wales alone saw 79 separate demonstrations on Tuesday, with police arresting more than 150 people for breaking health orders banning gatherings to stop the spread of Covid-19 during what protesters billed as 'Shut Down Australia Day'.

Just after 5pm, New South Wales Police confirmed officers had arrested 153 people and issued almost 600 fines across the state.

Daily Mail.co.uk