Protests at refugee policies

Thousands of people around Australia have marched in rallies calling for an end to the Federal Government’s policies on asylum seekers.

In Melbourne, as many as 3000 protesters marched against mandatory detention and offshore processing.

In Sydney, thousands braved the pouring rain, bringing traffic in the city centre to a standstill.

Speakers said referring to asylum seekers as “illegals” and locking them away in remote detention centres has helped the government’s policies become popular.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young told crowds in Melbourne the government’s policies are dehumanising.

“The war on refugees is an attack on Australia’s generous heart,” she said.

“We must reject it wholly. We must stand up for the spirit and the fabric of our nation which is about fairness and basic human dignity.”