Last month’s March in March saw people across the country voice their disapproval in the Abbott Government, and now the Greens are set to table those concerns in Parliament.
The Member for Melbourne, Adam Bandt, will try to have a statement of no confidence in the government tabled in the House of Representatives.
“Like the thousands of people who attended the March in March rallies…we do not have confidence that the government is acting in the best interests of the majority of ordinary Australians,” Bandt told The City Journal.
Senator Scott Ludlam was refused permission to table a similar statement last month.
The March in March protests took place across Australia last month, with organisers estimating 100,000 participants in over 33 locations.
Bandt said he was pleased to accept a statement of no confidence from the protest organisers, because he felt it represented widespread dissatisfaction in the government.
“This is a statement from ordinary people and community groups calling for a better society and better government,” said Bandt.
Protesters swamp Melbourne’s CBD
One of those who marched in Melbourne, Chantal Teague, said the Abbott Government has, in just seven months, decimated much of what the Australian people stand for.
“It doesn’t matter if you care about asylum seekers, or the environment or animal welfare or basically any sort of humanitarian issue – he has managed to bring out all of our fears,” said Ms Teague.
Like many of the others who took to the streets, she’s hoping Mr Bandt’s statement to the Parliament will trigger a new election.
But protestor and student activist Jade Eckhaus said the protest was about more than the actions of one governement.
“[It was a] protest against the failings of all the Australian parties in our democracy,” she said.
“It’s really good to have a general demonstration where you can come out and protest about all of the things you care about.”
Protesters at the Melbourne demonstration called for everything from more funding for a Tasmanian devil conservation program to the formation of an anti-capitalism movement.
Liberal Senator Scott Ryan declined to comment.
See the top 10 major events over the last seven months of Abbott Government which have catalysed the March in March protests:
