Student protesters have rejected suggestions that scuffles with police were counterproductive to the campaign against education budget cuts and they have vowed they will continue to hold rallies opposing the plan to deregulate university fees.
It comes after protesting students clashed with police overnight at a Liberal Party event at the University of Sydney.
Dozens of students protesting against education budget cuts were waiting when Education Minister Christopher Pyne arrived at the university's St John's College to adjudicate at a university Liberal Club debate.
Protesters tried unsuccessfully to get inside the building, some scuffling with police at the entrance and being pushed forcefully away as officers shouted at them to get back.
Several protesters have been arrested.
"The majority of Australia hates the budget and I think resistance to the budget - whether it takes the form the Marches in May or the student protests or the direct actions - they have all received widespread support," Ridah Hassan told the ABC.
"And we're pretty confident that the people of Aust will support us because we've all got something to lose by the Liberals taking power. We've all got something to lose in this budget."
Meanwhile, Christopher Pyne has attacked the media for focusing on student protests rather than on the Abbott Government's changes to education.
"The media are much more interested in the story about protesting students and people being arrested and dragged off by police officers than they are in genuine policy reform.
"That's why the Minister for Education mustn't allow the Government to become distracted by what is essentially sound and fury of students who've been waiting six years to protest against a Coalition Government."
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