Huge crowd heckles Labor, Greens over Tas. public service cuts

November 12, 2011
Issue 
Photo: Rose Matthews

About 4500 people marched and rallied in Hobart on November 12 against the state government cuts to essential services.

Angry health care, education, children's services and other public sector workers, including police, joined with the broader community to chant "no more cuts", drowning out the efforts of Labor Premier Lara Giddings who tried to convince them that the government had no other option.

Greens leader and cabinet minister Nick McKim was also booed and heckled as he tried to defend the cuts.

Speakers representing nurses, other health care workers, schools, police and GPs slammed the cuts, which have already seen the closure of hospital wards, some mental health services and massive increases to surgery waiting lists.

Protesters called on the government to get their priorities right and start listening to the community.

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