Country town protests Howard visit

GEELONG — On July 24, 200 people jeered PM John Howard as he arrived to attend a meet-and-greet in Bannockburn, a small rural town 22 kilometres north-west of Geelong. The protesters, including trade unionists, environmentalists, pensioners, anti-war activists and others, called him a liar and chanted for him to resign.

Geelong Trades Hall secretary Tim Gooden told the protesters: "This is what Australians really think of Howard and the Liberals' laws. Inside are the screened invitees for the show, but out here the reality is that people are angry about the government's lies and deceit and have come to show their disgust. This is the sort of protest that will haunt the Liberals in the lead up to the next election."

Kim White

From GLW issue 677