Crowds in Treasury Gardens during a rally to signify no confidence in the Abbott Government. Source: News Limited
THOUSANDS have marched through Melbourne’s CBD to protest against the Abbott Government and its policies, bringing the city to a standstill.
The mammoth crowd — reportedly numbering up to as many as 30,000 — gathered at the State Library of Victoria for the Melbourne leg of the nationwide March in March rallies about midday on Sunday.
The demonstrators went on to march down Swanston St and along Bourke St to reach Treasury Gardens, where a rally was held.
Protesters chanted “shame Abbott shame” and brandished signs voicing their anger at the Government’s policies on issues such as climate change, the treatment of asylum seekers, same-sex marriage and the tax system.
Singer Missy Higgins and comedian and radio host Meshel Laurie were among those at the Melbourne event.
A march through Treasury Gardens to protest the Government’s policies. Source: News Limited
Marches are being held in each of the state capitals on Sunday, following protests in regional cities on Saturday.
The three-day event will culminate on Monday when a statement of no confidence in Tony Abbott’s government is delivered to Parliament House.
More than 18,000 said on Facebook they would attend the Melbourne demonstration.
Melbourne organisers estimated the crowd would reach 30,000.
Victoria Police spokeswoman Leading Sen-Constable Julie-Anne Newman said the march had caused “significant traffic disruption”, but there had been no other issues.
Yarra Trams diverted routes 86, 96, 11 and 112 trams via La Trobe St, terminating at Elizabeth St, and route 109 via La Trobe St.
Crowds in Treasury Gardens. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: News Limited
The purpose of the rally was to signify “the people’s vote of no confidence in policies of the government that go against common principles of humanity, decency, fairness social justice and equity, democratic governance, responsible global citizenship and conserving our natural heritage”, according to the event’s Facebook page.
Organisers say the protests are part of a peaceful grassroots movement that has no affiliation with political parties.
Canberra organiser Loz Lawrey said the idea started in January as a conversation between a handful of people on Facebook.
“They said to each other, ‘we can’t just keep complaining to each other about this government, we have to do something about it’,” Mr Lawrey said.
“As that conversation became more public, people started saying, ‘we’d like to be involved’.”
Mr Lawrey said the movement had 45,000 supporters.
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