Monica Smit
{{Short description|Australian anti-vaxxer and anti-lockdown protester}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Use Australian English|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Monica Smit
| image =
| caption = Monica Smit speaking at a protest
| birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|33|2017|9|4}}
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| other_names =
| known_for = Anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown protester
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{{Far-right politics in Australia|expanded=People}}
Monica Smit (born {{circa|1984}}) is an Australian anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown protester.{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Naomi |date=28 October 2024 |title=Sky News Hosts Are Calling For Surveillance Of School Classrooms To Monitor Trans Issues |url=https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/sky-news-calls-for-classroom-surveillance233589/233589 |access-date=11 December 2024 |website=Star Observer |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Adam |date=1 September 2021 |title='Freedom activist' stays in custody after refusing to sign bail conditions |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/freedom-activist-stays-in-custody-after-refusing-to-sign-bail-conditions-20210901-p58nvb.html |access-date=11 December 2024 |website=The Age |language=en-AU |archive-date=14 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214033843/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/freedom-activist-stays-in-custody-after-refusing-to-sign-bail-conditions-20210901-p58nvb.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Paynter |first=Jack |date=4 September 2021 |title=How reality TV wannabe became Melbourne anti-vax leader arrested by police |url=https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/social/how-reality-tv-wannabe-became-melbourne-antivax-leader-arrested-by-police/news-story/886946b45390bfa3fa2c8861f716f866?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=19 December 2024 |work=News.com.au |language=en-AU}} She is the founder of Reignite Democracy Australia (RDA), an anti-lockdown and COVID-19 conspiracy group.{{Cite web |last1=Baker |first1=Richard |last2=Towell |first2=Noel |last3=Fox Koob |first3=Simone |date=30 July 2021 |title='Freedom' activists aim to harness anger for new political party |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/freedom-activists-aim-to-harness-anger-for-new-political-party-20210730-p58edq.html |access-date=11 December 2024 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en-AU |archive-date=25 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625182019/https://www.smh.com.au/national/freedom-activists-aim-to-harness-anger-for-new-political-party-20210730-p58edq.html |url-status=live }} Smit gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic as a critic of the Victorian Government's response.{{Cite news |last=Davies |first=Anne |date=9 January 2021 |title=How an anti-mask firebrand fans the right's flames against Dan Andrews online |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/10/how-an-anti-mask-firebrand-fans-the-rights-flames-against-dan-andrews-online |access-date=11 December 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |last=Chung |first=Frank |date=13 September 2024 |title='How is that fair?': Anti-lockdown protester Monica Smit ordered to pay $200,000 after winning unlawful arrest case |url=https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/melbourne-activist-monica-smit-unlawfully-arrested-during-2020-antilockdown-protest-court-finds/news-story/b53c9e5e617b546340e7690f77b99f83 |access-date=11 December 2024 |website=News.com.au |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924103040/https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/melbourne-activist-monica-smit-unlawfully-arrested-during-2020-antilockdown-protest-court-finds/news-story/b53c9e5e617b546340e7690f77b99f83 |url-status=live }}
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.{{Cite web |last1=Paynter |first1=Jack |last2=Schelle |first2=Caroline |date=8 September 2021 |title=How anti-vax leader Monica Smit made $50k a day in custody |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/news/how-antivax-leader-monica-smit-made-50k-a-day-in-custody/news-story/d6cd9f05516b341557282eb81e6a1ace |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220140745/https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/news/how-antivax-leader-monica-smit-made-50k-a-day-in-custody/news-story/d6cd9f05516b341557282eb81e6a1ace |archive-date=20 December 2021 |access-date=11 December 2024 |website=News.com.au}} The campaign raised {{AUD|247,000|link=yes}} in five days. She spent 22 days in custody before agreeing to bail conditions. In July 2022 the incitement charges were withdrawn.{{Cite web |last=Timms |first=Hugo |date=5 September 2022 |title=Reignite Democracy founder Monica Smit fights charges |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/courts-law/reignite-democracy-founder-monica-smit-fights-charges/news-story/a36f7bfe59ca1f6688e6e7c90e5282cd |access-date=11 December 2024 |website=news.com.au |archive-date=5 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905102717/https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/courts-law/reignite-democracy-founder-monica-smit-fights-charges/news-story/a36f7bfe59ca1f6688e6e7c90e5282cd |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Towell |first=Noel |date=31 October 2023 |title=Covid 'freedom' activist Smit back in court over legal fighting fund |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/anti-lockdown-freedom-activist-back-in-court-over-legal-fight-fundraising-20231031-p5egfp.html |access-date=11 December 2024 |website=The Age |language=en-AU |archive-date=5 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105143506/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/anti-lockdown-freedom-activist-back-in-court-over-legal-fight-fundraising-20231031-p5egfp.html |url-status=live }}
In October 2023, Smit and RDA were charged by Consumer Affairs Victoria with failing to register a fundraiser purportedly for Smit's legal defence.{{Cite web |last=Beatty |first=Liam |date=3 May 2024 |title=Monica Smit: Melbourne anti-lockdown activist found guilty for unlawful fundraiser |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/courts-law/monica-smit-melbourne-antilockdown-activist-convicted-for-unlawful-fundraiser/news-story/985c8d031c2c9f423196137fed9281f2 |access-date=11 December 2024 |website=news.com.au |archive-date=5 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505131050/https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/courts-law/monica-smit-melbourne-antilockdown-activist-convicted-for-unlawful-fundraiser/news-story/985c8d031c2c9f423196137fed9281f2 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Beatty |first=Liam |date=22 January 2024 |title=Monica Smit: Anti-vax activist to fight $86,000 unlawful fundraiser allegations |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/monica-smit-antivax-activist-to-fight-86000-unlawful-fundraiser-allegations/news-story/bc990ed0e884d85796332c42899a0b83 |access-date=11 December 2024 |work=The Australian |language=en-AU}} 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 false imprisonment in relation to arrests which occurred during COVID-19 protests.{{Cite news |last=Timms |first=Hugo |date=9 December 2022 |title=Judge questions case against anti-lockdown activist |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/courts-law/activist-tells-magistrate-she-wont-pay-the-fine-for-cho-breaches/news-story/8a6c013a79af162d20b80f39ddb30fd2 |access-date=11 December 2024 |work=news.com.au |language=en-AU |archive-date=9 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209174208/https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/courts-law/activist-tells-magistrate-she-wont-pay-the-fine-for-cho-breaches/news-story/8a6c013a79af162d20b80f39ddb30fd2 |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web |last=Cucchiara |first=Sam |date=September 2024 |title=Anti-lockdown activist wins court case but forced to pay police lawyer fees |url=https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/victoria-antilockdown-activist-wins-court-case-but-forced-to-pay-police-lawyer-fees/78b040a1-e0b9-4593-b168-203de700f70a |access-date=11 December 2024 |website=Nine News |language=en-AU |archive-date=13 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213121738/https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/victoria-antilockdown-activist-wins-court-case-but-forced-to-pay-police-lawyer-fees/78b040a1-e0b9-4593-b168-203de700f70a |url-status=live }}
Personal life and career
In 2017, Smit auditioned for Survivor.{{Cite news |last=Paynter |first=Jack |date=4 September 2021 |title=How reality TV flop became anti-vaxxer |url=https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/social/how-reality-tv-wannabe-became-melbourne-antivax-leader-arrested-by-police/news-story/886946b45390bfa3fa2c8861f716f866 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011215351/https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/social/how-reality-tv-wannabe-became-melbourne-antivax-leader-arrested-by-police/news-story/886946b45390bfa3fa2c8861f716f866 |archive-date=11 October 2023 |access-date=19 December 2024 |work=News.com.au |language=en-AU |url-status=live }} 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
File:Police in 6th Lockdown Melbourne 2.jpg
Smit founded Reignite Democracy Australia (RDA) in mid-2020, a lobby group opposing the policies of the Victorian government and 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 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. This period of detention ended after 22 days at which time Smit agreed to the bail conditions. 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 {{AUD|247,000|link=yes}} 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 for false imprisonment for 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 falsely imprisoned on two occasions during a protest on 31 October 2020. However, Smit's decision to reject the pre-trial settlement offer led to the court ordering her to pay about $250,000 for Victoria Police's legal costs.
== See Also ==
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Politics of Australia}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smit, Monica}}
Category:Australian anti-vaccination activists
Category:Australian women activists
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:Criminals from Melbourne
Category:Politics of Melbourne
Category:Activists from Melbourne
Category:Australian conspiracy theorists