Premier 'proud' to attend massive union rally

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews joined more than 100,000 marchers in Melbourne's CBD today as a mass union rally demanded a change in government and more action on securing jobs and increasing wages.

“Some will be critical of me being here … but I am proud to be here,” Mr Andrews said.

“There will be tens of thousands of people marching in Melbourne and across the country setting a clear message that rules need to change and we need a fair go.”

The Melbourne rally began at the Victorian Trades Hall Council in Carlton and shut down several city roads causing delays for commuters as protesters made their way to the steps of Parliament House in the City’s CBD.

Mr Andrews took part in a similar mass union rally in October last year, however that move sparked criticism from members of the Victorian Opposition.

The Victorian protests were part of national action across the country as part of the ‘Change the Rules’ protest with 13 others also held.

The President of the ACTU, Michele O’Neil, told reporters that workers were fed up with stagnant wages and increasing living costs.

She praised the Bill Shorten-led federal Labor party for making “good strong commitments” towards a living wage and restoring penalty rates.

The secretary of the Trades Hall Council Luke Hilakari echoed Ms O’Neil, calling for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to call an election and for a quick response addressing rates of insecure work.

"It isn’t fair that corporate profits are going up and our wages are going down. It’s not fair that 40 per cent of workers are in insecure work. It’s not fair that 700,000 Australians had penalty rates cut," he said.

"This is why we’re marching. We want Scott Morrison to face up to the people. We live in a democracy and that’s why we’re going to get rid of him."

An estimated 100,000 people attended the rally.

The rallies to be held today were also expected to be less disruptive than the vegan and animal activist protests that occurred around Australia on Monday, with today’s organisers working with police.