Unions are demanding more be done to protect working Australians trying to make ends meet.

A frustrated crowd of more than 10,000 workers gathered in Sydney’s CBD to rally for fairer workplace laws and higher wages growth.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) says up to 40 per cent of workers are classified as ”casual” or in ”contract” positions.

President Michele O’Neil says the current situation is unsustainable.

There have also been rallies in other parts of the country, with more than 100,000 people turning out in Melbourne to show their support for change.

Minister for Jobs and Industrial Relations Kelly O’Dwyer tells Ross Greenwood “it was a demonstration of militant union power”.

“It was a demonstration, probably to both Bill Shorten and the government, that should Bill Shorten be trusted to actually lead a government, he would have to take instruction from people like Sally McManus and John Setka on everything to down to the industrial relations in our workplaces.”

She says unions are hurting workers, rather than helping them.

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview