AN East West tunnel protest leader has been exposed as a serial agitator, prompting claims that local opposition to the $8 billion road link has been hijacked.

The Herald Sun has confirmed that self-appointed protest leader Anthony Main has joined the G20, Occupy Melbourne and S11 protest rallies.

The 37-year-old says: "I'm a serial pest to big business and to Right-wing politicians. ­I make no apologies for that."

Workers returned to the drilling site this morning before protesters could organise themselves to prevent their entry.

A community picket of dozens of protesters surrounded the North Carlton worksite after 6am but workers had already entered the caged drilling area by the time they arrived.

Insp Paul Tymms said police wanted to ensure a peaceful and safe protest, after some protesters became aggressive yesterday and tried to rush the police line.

He said officers used appropriate force to maintain order.

Workers at the site were employed legitimately and had a right to do their work safely, Insp Tymms said, adding that police would continue to keep a visible presence at the site.

Protesters chanted that they wanted public transport instead of the East West Link and would continue to fight for it.

Larissa Garvin, a spokeswoman for Transport Minister Terry Mulder, said the Government was concerned at the protesters' tactics.

media_camera Police keep watch over protesters in Station St Carlton.

"The actions of a small number of "serial protesters" at the East West Link drilling sites calls into question whether they represent the broader views of the community, or just their own," she said.

Linking Melbourne Authority, which is responsible for the drilling contractors, said its workers should not have to face harassment and intimidation when arriving at work.

Mr Main, who lives in Clifton Hill, led about 50 picketers at the test drilling site on the corner of Princes and Station streets in North Carlton from 6.30am yesterday.

Angry scenes followed as police stepped in and tried to disperse the protesters as they linked arms to stop Strategic Drilling Services' workers from entering the site.

Victoria Police Inspector Peter Ward denied protesters' claims of police brutality.

media_camera Protesters gather in Station St Carlton.

"It's unfortunate that a small group of the protesters decided to be confrontational and start to push the police lines," he said.

Mr Main, a former Yarra councillor, has a long history of activism.

He has been seen at major socialist protests, as well as smaller rallies including a fight against Baker's Delight in St Helena and a battle against a Carlton video store who wanted to pay staff with DVDs.

But his attention-seeking behaviour has also caught the attention of Victoria Police.

Mr Main, secretary of the Unite union, was given a good behaviour bond without conviction for a brush with police in 2007.

He was expected to be interviewed over an incident during a violent protest before a speech by anti-Islamic MP Geert Wilders in February.

Institute of Public Affairs policy director Tim Wilson described the mob as rent-a-crowd protesters who were "silly and indulgent".

media_camera Anthony Main shows his injuries after he was arested at the APEC protest at the Magistrates' Court. Picture: Joe Sabljak

"These groups are largely interested in self-applauding their efforts than effecting beneficial change," he said.

But Mr Main, a Socialist Party candidate for Melbourne at the recent federal election, said the East West Link protest had widespread public support.

"I've put on 3kg with all the cakes and treats that the locals have brought down here."

Richard Clancy, workplace relations manager for the Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: "We become concerned when police supervision and court orders are necessary to ensure that lawful business activity can proceed."

stephen.drill@news.com.au

media_camera East West Link leader a serial pest

ANTHONY MAIN - PROFESSIONAL PROTESTER

* East West Link, Fitzroy, September/October 2013

* Public housing cuts, Prahran, July 2013

* Geert Wilders, right-wing politician, February 2013

* Occupy Melbourne, City Square, October 2011

* Baker's Delight, St Helena, wages concerns, November 2009

* Video Dogs, Carlton, complaints over staff working for DVDs, June 2008

* APEC, Melbourne, September 2007

* G20, Melbourne, November 2006

* Hungry Jacks, protest for fast-food workers' rights, June 2006

* S11, World Economic Forum, Crown Casino, September, 2000