Rallies have taken place in Australia
in protest at plans by the Labor government to bring in a carbon tax.
Hundreds of people have attended demonstrations in the national capital Canberra
as well as in Melbourne,
Brisbane,
Adelaide
and Perth.
Protesters say they are just ordinary Australian workers and taxpayers
who feel betrayed by the government’s plans to put a price on carbon.
They insist it would damage the economy
and drive up the cost of living
by making energy far more expensive.
“There is a groundswell of people that have finally had a gutful,” said one demonstrator.
“Since the Labor government has come into this country the union rules.
We just cannot do it anymore.
We have no more money left to pay the taxes,”
another protester said.