DEMISE OF TONY ABBOTT No.53

March in March:

Tony Abbott, Gina Rinehart cop blasts in Sydney protest

March 16, 2014 - 6:01PM

Jacqueline Maley

Socialists, it seems, are not made of sugar. Thunderstorms followed by drenching autumnal showers did not deter a loose collection of anti-Abbott government activists from gathering at central Sydney's Belmore Park on Sunday to protest Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s stance on asylum-seekers, the environment, industrial relations, free trade and gay marriage.

 The gathering, which was matched by similar events around Australia, was a left-wing echo of the infamous ‘‘Convoy of No Confidence’’ rallies held against Julia Gillard's former Labor government, at which Mr Abbott and other Coalition MPs appeared alongside offensive signs, to much public criticism. The signs at the rally ranged from those comparing Mr Abbott with Hitler, to placards calling him ‘‘gutless’’ and one simply portraying a pair of Speedos with a giant red line crossed through them. Another referred to Mr Abbott’s history as a boxer, reading: ‘‘To a pugilist, every problem looks like an un-protected head’’. Seven speakers addressed the crowd before marching began, a number which seemed a little cruel given the inclement weather.

 Emcee Matt Wakefield, a Sydney comedian, warmed up the crowd with a reference to the ‘‘shameful, racist, homophobic...f--king a--hole that is Tony Abbott’’ British singer Billy Bragg, currently on tour in Australia, was a surprise guest. He sang a song and lamented the recent remarks mining magnate Gina Rinehart made praising former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. All mentions of Ms Rinehart’s name were met with booing. Cat Rose, the convenor of Community Action Against Homophobia, said that ‘‘it’s pretty clear that Tony Abbott’s homophobia alone disqualifies him from government’’. March in March national convenor Tim Jones said according to initial reports from ‘‘news sources’’, 112,000 people had attended about 20 marches around the nation, with 12,000 turning up in Sydney.

Thousands take to Melbourne streets to protest against Abbott Government policies

SAMANTHA LANDY

MARCH 16, 2014

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.

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.

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.