Meet the IT guru turned organiser of Melbourne's Freedom protests - Harrison Mclean first started attending anti-lockdown rallies last July at the height of Melbourne's second wave of Covid.

After the lockdown ended he became a key organiser and drove a shift in rhetoric to general themes of 'freedom' that attracted legions of new followers.

Australians have mobilised consistently in opposition to lockdowns, mandates and vaccine passes. In every state, the "freedom" movement has brought together anti-vaxxers, libertarians, representatives of the liberal democrat party, One Nation and the United Australia Party. The movement has received encouragement from sections of the business community and alternative media.