Prime Minister Tony Abbott has cancelled a visit to Deakin University’s Geelong campus with Victorian Premier Denis Napthine on Wednesday, an event protesters were targeting.
A collection of different community groups had planned to protest against Mr Abbott and his first budget that has cut billions from the state budget and made dramatic changes to cost-of-living.
Extra security had been arranged for the event at the Waurn Ponds campus in the wake of a series of anti-government protests and backlash against the budget in the city.
Students at universities across Australia have targeted prominent Liberal figures who have appeared on campus since the federal budget was handed down last week.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop was attacked at Sydney University on Friday and heckled later that day at an event at the University of Technology, Sydney.
Former frontbencher Sophie Mirabella was also shouted down during a lecture at the University of Melbourne on Monday.
It is understood Mr Abbott and Dr Napthine are still scheduled to see each other on Tuesday night in Melbourne.
Dr Napthine has been critical of the federal budget and has called for an urgent meeting of all government leaders.
Victoria is facing up to a $20 billion cut to health and education funding over the next ten years with changes to national partnership funding set to impacting Victoria from July 1.
On Tuedsay afternoon Mr Abbott’s office cancelled an event with Deakin University that was to celebrate the work of Carbon Nexus, which had received some federal funds in the past.
The event had been confirmed by the Prime Minister’s office earlier in the day.
A federal source said the decision to cancel the visit to Geelong had nothing to do with what has been an at-times frosty relationship between Mr Abbott and Dr Napthine in recent months.
Dr Napthine has been angered by Canberra’s decision to allow Holden and Toyota to pull out of manufacturing operations in Australia, as well as at the refusal to assist fruit processor SPC.
Mr Abbott will still attend an event in Victoria on Wednesday as he continues to sell what has been a horror first budget for the Coalition, delivering a big hit in the Prime Minister’s popularity in Victoria in the Fairfax Nielsen polls.
Mr Abbott last week conceded “there was some things in the Budget that the premiers liked – there were other things in the Budget that the premiers would prefer weren’t there” but has stressed the federal government would still look to work constructively with the states.
However, Mr Abbott refused to meet with state premiers collectively over the weekend in Sydney to discuss the fall out from the budget.
With Mr Abbott’s popularity in Victoria the lowest in the country, Monday’s Age/Nielsen poll showed the Coalition trailing 61-39 in the state, questions have also been raised about whether it is good for Dr Napthine to be seen with Mr Abbott, especially in a marginal seat, ahead of the November state poll.
Geelong Trades Hall secretary Tim Gooden said a community protest had been organised, including representatives from unions, students, the Greens, ALP, people from Men’s Sheds, pensioners and disability groups.
Earlier the university would not comment on whether there would be a strong security presence at the Waurn Ponds campus, but Victoria police are aware of protests and said there would be ‘‘adequate police’’ there to ensure safety.
On Tuesday Dr Napthine said he did not back a broadening or increase to the GST. He also said he had received a letter from the PM conceding that there were budget impacts that would affect Victoria from July 1, with the state up to $200 million worse.
source: smh.com.au
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 