Prime Minister Tony Abbott ’lied his way to power’, Melbourne Budget protest told

ABOUT 10,000 people have gathered in Melbourne CBD today to protest the Abbott Government’s budget.

The demonstration came as thousands of people across the country rallied to voice their anger at the federal budget.

Protesters in Melbourne gathered outside the State Library at 2pm before a series of speeches took place.

There was a heavy police presence while the protesters clapped and cheered the speeches.

At 2.40pm the crowd started making its way down Swanston St towards Federation Square.

Before the march began Adam Bandt, the Greens leader, told the crowd he expected a new prime minister by Christmas.

“No one voted for this budget,” he said. “He lied his way to power.”

“Tony Abbott has rounded on us. It takes guts and courage to stand up to the powerful and wealthy but a coward to take an axe to the young, the sick and the poor.

“They are making life brutal for everyone who comes after them.

“This administration will be devastating to Gen Y.

“When you are looking for a job the government will take away your income while you are looking.

“This budget is a poisonous recipe for young people in this country.”

The crowd marched down Swanston St, before looping across to Elizabeth St via Bourke St.

It then made its way back over to Swanston St via Collins St.

The protesters ended up in Federation Square where more speeches took place.

Father Bob Maguire finished proceedings off shortly after 4.30pm by telling the crowd “democracy is much more than a system…it is an ideal”.

Belinda Nolan, a spokeswoman for Victoria Police, told the Herald Sun no arrests had been made in Melbourne.

source: heraldsun.com.au