A Victorian MP who skipped parliament to attend a violent anti-war protest has defended going after the premier told her to hand back her office keys
Greens MP Gabrielle Di Vietri joined hundreds who gathered to protest at a weapons expo in Melbourne on Wednesday, where horse droppings were thrown at police, bins set on fire and officers used pepper spray.
Her attendance drew condemnation across the political spectrum, including from Premier Jacinta Allan, who said Ms Di Vietri was not elected "to run off and join political stunts".
"If the member for Richmond can't turn up and do her job as an elected member of parliament, she should hand back the keys to her office," Ms Allan told reporters on Wednesday.
"This conflict overseas should not be turned into an opportunity to drive conflict on the streets of Melbourne for your base political purposes."
Opposition Leader John Pesutto said the coalition wanted to move a motion in the upper house to declare the MP was "not fit" to hold office.
"We certainly have a strong view that the member for Richmond should not be serving with this Victorian Parliament," Mr Pesutto said.
He said it "may be too charitable" to describe the protesters as idiots or thugs and it was a shame Ms Di Vietri chose to go.
Ms Di Vietri said her attendance was no different to other MPs who go to meetings or events outside parliament in sitting weeks.
"I missed the Lord's Prayer and a few announcements from MPs, there were no bills being debated this morning while I was here that I had to participate in," the Greens MP told AAP at the protest.
"I'm very aware of what the schedule is for today and, in fact, I know that the community would rather see an end to the weapons and war, and that I listen to them.
"That's what I'm doing here today. This is part of my job."
She said the crowd was there to "peacefully protest" and she witnessed police using an "unjustified and excessive amount" of force.
"(Jacinta Allan) could have stopped this event from going ahead, and she could have prevented this violence coming from police to be unleashed on these protesters," Ms Di Vietri said.
Greens leader Ellen Sandell said she had written to the anti-corruption body calling for an independent inquiry into police tactics and "excessive use of force" at the protest.
Officers from regional Victoria and interstate were called in to reinforce local squads, with the extra cost of policing the event expected to up to $15 million.
