First vegans, now unions: Commuter chaos as massive protest shuts down Melbourne AGAIN while 200,000 march to demand an election and wage increases

  • Up to 200,000 workers are marching through Melbourne for a demonstration called Change The Rules 
  • They are demanding more secure jobs and better pay and want Scott Morrison to call the federal election 
  • Victorian Trades Hall secretary Luke Hilakari said: 'Every week it's getting harder for regular Australians'

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Thousands of union members have shut down Melbourne in a huge protest to demand wage increases.

Up to 200,000 workers are marching through the city for a demonstration called Change The Rules organised by the Australian Council of Trades Union.

They are demanding more secure jobs and better pay and want Scott Morrison to call the federal election as soon as possible.

Victorian Trades Hall secretary Luke Hilakari said: 'We want this election done with, the Prime Minister should call this election now.'

Demonstration: Thousands of union members have shut down Melbourne in a huge protest to demand wage increases

Demonstration: Thousands of union members have shut down Melbourne in a huge protest to demand wage increases

Up to 200,000 workers are marching through the city for a demonstration called Change The Rules organised by the Australian Council of Trades Union

Up to 200,000 workers are marching through the city for a demonstration called Change The Rules organised by the Australian Council of Trades Union

Two protesters at the union protests in Melbourne. They are demanding more secure jobs and better pay

Two protesters at the union protests in Melbourne. They are demanding more secure jobs and better pay

'For regular Australians, every week it's getting harder and harder, there have been no wage increases and this government has shown no desire to change it.'   

Victorian Labor Premier Daniel Andrews is joining the march. 'I won't be chaining myself to anything,' Mr Andrews on Tuesday.

He said the aim was not to cause disruption and that protesters are working with police.

'I think that protesters will have had conversations with authorities about how working people can make their point without completely disrupting the city,' he said.

It comes after Melbourne was brought to a standstill on Monday when dozens of vegans protested in the CBD.

Some 40 protesters were arrested and charged - including a 15-year-old - and commuters were left delayed and outraged.

Victorian Trades Hall secretary Luke Hilakari said: 'We want this election done with, the Prime Minister should call this election now.'

Victorian Trades Hall secretary Luke Hilakari said: 'We want this election done with, the Prime Minister should call this election now.'

They are demanding more secure jobs and better pay and want Scott Morrison to call the federal election as soon as possible

They are demanding more secure jobs and better pay and want Scott Morrison to call the federal election as soon as possible

It comes after Melbourne was brought to a standstill on Monday when dozens of vegans protested in the CBD

It comes after Melbourne was brought to a standstill on Monday when dozens of vegans protested in the CBD 

Police in the NSW Tabelands arrested nine protesters after they stormed an abattoir on Mazamat Road and chained themselves to a conveyor at 4am.

Protesters also marched in Hobart and through the Sydney CBD after meeting at Hyde Park.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the activists were 'green-collar criminals' who were harming Australian farmers.

'This is just another form of activism that I think runs against the national interest, and the national interest is being able to farm their own land,' he told 2GB.

The protests were organised by an activist group called Aussie Farms.

The Morrison government has vowed tougher penalties for the website after those running it refused to take down a map of farmers' addresses and contact details.

'I'm expecting state governments - as I'm sure they will - to do their jobs,' he said. 

On Monday Some 40 protesters were arrested and charged - including a 15-year-old - and commuters were left delayed and outraged. Pictured: Protests on Wednesday

 On Monday Some 40 protesters were arrested and charged - including a 15-year-old - and commuters were left delayed and outraged. Pictured: Protests on Wednesday

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First vegans, now unions: Commuter chaos as massive protest shuts down Melbourne AGAIN

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