Malcolm Turnbull interrupted by pro-refugee protesters while delivering speech

A GROUP of protesters — one getting onto the stage — has interrupted Malcolm Turnbull’s major economic speech in Melbourne.

A PROTESTER has stormed the stage during Malcolm Turnbull’s major economic speech in Melbourne this afternoon.

The concerning security fail allowed a woman holding a sign demanding the closure of refugee camps to enter the stage and stand alongside the Prime Minister.

It is understood the seven protesters had booked tickets to the event and left their tables as the speech began.

All had to be forcibly removed.

The woman who stormed the stage told media outside the Grand Hyatt that she did not expect to get so close to the Prime Minister.

Gaye Demanuele from the Whistleblowers Activists and Citizens Alliance interrupts Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s speech. Picture: AAP

They began to chant slogans urging the closure of Nauru and Manus Island refugee camps.

A woman who stood within three metres of the PM held a sign saying: “FFS - close the bloody camps.”

Mr Turnbull paused his speech as his security team attempted to remove the protesters from the room.

Senior members of the Prime Minister’s office are furious a protester could get on stage at a secure event in a time of heightened terror threat.

The current terror level in Australia is at “probable”.

Many have suggested it was lucky the vocal protesters were vocal and not violent.

Former NSW Premier Kristina Keneally told Sky News: “You have to think what type of security assessment was done?

“(It’s) lucky she’s holding a poster, not a gun.”

Protester Agnes Prest stand on the stage while the Prime Minister carries on.

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Mr Turnbull used the speech to put the economic blowtorch on Bill Shorten as soon as parliament resumes, introducing an Omnibus Bill containing budget saving measures Labor pledged to support during the election campaign.

The Prime Minister confirmed he will immediately ask Labor to support the abolition of the School Kids Bonus and changes to the pension assets test after they backed down on their opposition to the cuts.

Mr Turnbull will argue Australia risks falling behind leading global economies if budget saving measures are not passed.

Ms Demanuele from the Whistleblowers Activists and Citizens Alliance is forceably ejected. Picture: AAP

He will argue the real test of parliament is whether it has the courage to make tough decisions rather than “exploit people’s fears and insecurities about the rapid pace of change in our world”.

Mr Turnbull will reveal the government is “ready to reach across the aisle’’ on some issues in a bid to improve the budget bottom line.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten announced Labor would support the $3.6 billion savings on the pension assets test and $4.5 billion in axing the School Kids Bonus in a bid to balance their costings during the campaign.

“We will proceed with our budget commitments,’’ he told the Committee for Economic Development of Australia.

Gaye Demanuele resists attempts to take her from the auditorium.

Gaye Demanuele is taken from the room after the outburst.

“In the upcoming sittings we will introduce an Omnibus Bill that puts together all the Government’s savings measures that we understand from the election campaign the ALP is prepared to support.

“We are ready to reach across the aisle. But Labor must be prepared to bring an open mind and some fiscal rationality to any discussions, as well as a commitment to support spending reductions they have already said they will back. “

Mr Turnbull will tell the lunch the nation risks saddling future grandchildren with rising debt if swift savings are not made to balance the budget. He will say Australia risks falling behind leading economies if budget issues are not looked at.

“If we aren’t prepared to make the tough choices today, future generations will be forced to pay back the debt through a combination of higher taxes and a lower quantity — or diminished quality — of government services: in short, through lower living standards than they would otherwise have enjoyed.”

Mr Turnbull will also confirm that the Australian Building and Construction Bill, to re-establish a building watchdog to police union corruption, will be reintroduced when parliament resumes.