(Transcript from World News Radio)
Tens-of-thousands of unionists have taken to the streets of major Australian cities demanding better protection for workers.
The rallies also turned into broader demonstrations of discontent about many of the federal government's policies.
Santilla Chingaipe has the details.
They were loud and angry.
"fade in ... When the minimum wage is under attack, what do we do? ' Stand Up, Fight back', When Medicare is under attack, what do we do? .. fade under narration ..
Australians from all walks of life marched through the streets of major cities in large numbers.
Several unions organised the protests, dubbed the 'March 4' rallies.
One organiser of the march in Melbourne Will Starcke says they have a lot to be angry about.
"This is the line in the sand for us. Unions are kicking off a campaign to protect the minimum wage, penalty rates, working rights, working conditions, medicare, education, higher education ... there's a lot that we say is wrong with Australia."
This man says workers need better protection.
"They want to even have a dip at our super - superannuation - I think they want to try and manage it. I fought that 30, 40 years ago. I'm getting old now, but we've got to stand up."
Some also used the protests to show their grievances over many of the federal government's policies outlined in last year's budget.
"We are hoping to push this government to get real about what they're doing to the community, to the middle and lower classes // It's doing over universities, which is the sector I work in, but it's also doing over the health system, it's attacking the most vulnerable people in our society, it's attacking welfare recipients, it's attacking refugees."
The federal government has since dropped or modified many of itss controversial budget measures.
However, Dave Oliver from the Australian Council of Trade Unions says they'll keep campaigning for what he says are fairer work rights.
"Our movement is going to unite, our movement's going to fight, and we're going to win (applause)... "
Organisers claim about 50,000 people marched in Melbourne, and about 20,000 in Sydney, with smaller rallies in other cities.
More rallies are planned in coming weeks.
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