Aust doctors rally in support of refugees

Thousands of protesters across Australia including doctors have marched in protest against inhumane treatment of asylum seekers and refugees.

Up to 5000 people took part in a march from Hyde Park to Circular Quay in Sydney, while thousands more joined rallies in Melbourne, Newcastle, Cairns, Hobart and Darwin on Saturday.

Doctor and author Munjed Al Muderis took part in the Sydney protest as a medical representative and former immigration detainee.

"It was heartwarming for us to find that what we believe is shared by so many of the medical establishment," Dr Barri Phatarfod told AAP.

Dr Bryan Walpole, who has worked on Manus and Nauru, said ahead of the march in Hobart: "this is about human beings, their health and welfare; they have done nothing wrong."