In addressing the rally Premier Geoff Gallop said that his government would always stand against the arrogance of power and that there were two factors essential in Australian governmental policy, to keep balance in the community, and fairness for all.
'You can't have fairness and balance if all the power goes to the employer.' Mr Gallop said the reforms flew in the face of the ANZAC tradition of a 'fair go for all' which has made Australia what it is today.
'Australia changed the day that John Howard got the numbers in the senate,' the Premier said.
In Melbourne 100,000 people protested the proposed reforms in the city centre.
Industrial Relations Minister, Kevin Andrews, has dismissed the nationwide protests as a waste of money.
Rights at work - worth fighting for
UPDATE...
Red Rag reports that there were over 20,000 people at the protest on Thursday, and I have had that 2nd-ed by a reliable source.