Thousands of protesters across the country have rallied against the Abbott government’s budget in a vocal display of discontent at cuts to health and education.
As state and territory leaders attend an emergency meeting to discuss measures designed to cut $80 billion from health and education spending over the next four years, voters have voiced their anger under “March in May” banners in capital cities including Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
The gatherings, a sequel to the “March in March” rally held earlier this year, were not limited to budget discontent.
Protesters also showed their objection to Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s stance on human rights, environment and industrial relations.
Social media was awash with #marchinmay and #bustthebudget posts.
Sydney protest organisers said they turned down offers by the Greens, the Labor Party and the Socialist Party to speak at the rallies.
Protesters started meeting at Sydney’s Belmore Park from 1pm, with police estimating 8000 people were present by 2.45pm. The protesters marched to Victoria Park, arriving about 4.30pm.
A number of people were arrested during the march for disobeying police directions after they diverged from the planned protest route.
Blacktown resident Michelle Konnecke, who attended the protest with her daughter and granddaughter, said she wanted to show her frustration about GP co-payments.
The three attended the “March in March” protests earlier this year and this time came prepared with a home-made placard saying: “This sign is too small to list all their broken promises.”
“This is only the second time we’ve come to a protest and we just decided to make a sign to make our voice heard. It’s my daughter’s and granddaughter’s future we’re talking about,” Ms Konnecke said.
While some had been busy preparing placards for the event, Edna Dashwood was taking an afternoon stroll with her two children when she stumbled upon “all these left wing hippies hanging about”.
“I wouldn’t say I’m left-wing or right-wing, I’m in the centre wave. We’ll march if they start talking about anything we feel passionate about. I am more concerned with changes that affect workers rather than those to do with welfare,” Ms Dashwood said.
Jill Kaye, 70, came specifically to protest the breakdown of funding for universal healthcare.
“I’m not a radical, but having worked in healthcare as a nurse in Canada, Africa, England and Australia for more than 40 years. I know what I’m talking about,” she said.
The protest signs were a mix of the funny, artistic and downright bizarre.
They called for an “Abbott proof fence”, an end to the “nightmare on Abbott street” and to “stop the mad Wabbott”.
It wasn’t just an anti-Abbott placard party – there were signs in support of sharks, ABC funding and asylum seekers.
In among them all was Blue Mountains resident Beverly Redshaw with her sign: “Grandparents give a Goneski, too.”
“I figured they weren’t going to take photos of just my husband and I, so we made the sign,” Ms Redshaw said.
“I am angry about the budget. Mr Abbott might be able to afford education for his kids but how about the rest of us? I believe in more funding for public education.”