Former federal Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella has been escorted from a lecture at Melbourne University after being disrupted by student protesters.
Mobile phone footage uploaded to YouTube shows Ms Mirabella being escorted out of the room while students shout chants. The students appear to be protesting against the changes to higher education fees.
Measures set out in Treasurer Joe Hockey’s federal budget last Tuesday mean universities and other higher education providers will be able to set their own tuition fees for courses from January 2016.
Students will fork out more when the government changes the rate at which they pay back their student loans.
The Australia Liveral Students' Federation, who filmed and uploaded the incident to YouTube, has condemned the attack.
"The socialists have complete disrespect for students and a disgusting willingness to use physical methods," said Australian Liberal Students’ Federation spokesperson Matthew Lesh.
"These activities once again show how disconnected these protesters are from the regular student body."
Ms Mirabella was able to resume her lecture after police removed the student protesters. She was invited to the university to share insights into her political experience.
Last week students targeted Julie Bishop during an appearance at the University of Technology Sydney, while her fellow cabinet ministers faced more protesters interstate.
Protesters also targeted Education Minister Christopher Pyne, who was speaking at Adelaide University, and Treasurer Joe Hockey who was addressing LNP members in Brisbane.
The protest against Ms Mirabella comes a day after March in May rallies, where tens of thousands of people across the nation marched against the Abbott government’s first budget.
