300 demonstrations took place in Australia against the proposed industrial relations reforms today. 200,000 took the streets in Melbourne [ Photos 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 ]. Another big demonstration took place in Sydney where 45,000 people protested. In Perth thousands of people rallied as part of the Australian wide day of community action. The M4 motorway was also blocked off in New South Wales for nearly an hour, by transport workers and police.

Solidarity demonstrations in Aotearoa took place in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch. Over 200 people rallied at the Australian High Commission in a show of solidarity with Australian Workers [ Report 1 + Photos ] [Report 2 ] [Report 3 ]. 200 people came to a protest in Auckland.

The Howard government’s IR changes and anti-terrorist legislation are closely linked and are in keeping with the political behaviour of Australian conservatism in government. The new Sedition Laws suggest that industrial disputes or industrial matters may be labelled seditious, where there is an absence of "good faith". The reforms further push Australian Workplace Agreements, with the right to strike effectively being lost, while employer use of lockouts is encouraged.

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