Rally organiser wants heart in politics

A West Australian woman wants to see more heart in Australian politics for the sake of her future grandchildren.

Sally Farrell from Geraldton was among about 500 people rallying in front of Parliament House in Canberra on Monday, unhappy with the Abbott government over a range of issues.

The rally organiser feared Australians had lost empathy but said the success of the March in March protests, organised mainly through Facebook and which attracted thousands nationwide, had restored her faith in humanity.

"It's not about left or right politics - it's about having a heart," Ms Farrell told AAP.

"I worry about the future and I want my grandkids to know their granny did her best for their futures."

Treatment of asylum seekers, Gonski school funding, climate change, indigenous issues and the environment were among the issues. Placards included "Dude where's my high speed broadband?" and "the devil wears a Speedo".

Tom Ekstedt, 10, and his brother Ben, 9, came to the nation's capital from Macedon in Victoria with their mother.

"(Tony Abbott's) ruining Australia," Tom said, with his handmade sign "not in my name".

"He's dumping gunk in the Great Barrier Reef and wants to chop down forests in Tasmania."

Rhyll Hunt, 11, from Canberra is worried about funding cuts to rhinoceros conservation efforts.