![CHANGE OF TONE: Tony Abbott greets member for Indi Cathy McGowan. She said it was obvious the Prime Minister had chosen to use his visit to Wodonga to launch the Liberal campaign for Indi. Picture: MARK JESSER CHANGE OF TONE: Tony Abbott greets member for Indi Cathy McGowan. She said it was obvious the Prime Minister had chosen to use his visit to Wodonga to launch the Liberal campaign for Indi. Picture: MARK JESSER](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/e8uBJxuTc2fGAziDArmhm5/711267d7-a403-4d67-9cb9-f1d468f42731.jpg/r342_77_3179_2555_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
THE closest protesters from the Beechworth Refugee Asylum Seeker Support group and North East Border Trades and Labor Council came to a meeting with Tony Abbott was the width of Kiewa Street.
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![MAKING A STAND: Protesters outside the Albury Club where Prime Minister Tony Abbott was attending a morning tea for community groups and volunteers. MAKING A STAND: Protesters outside the Albury Club where Prime Minister Tony Abbott was attending a morning tea for community groups and volunteers.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/qUHpFEMZzewme4KxrBME26/f6d9e503-93a6-4b88-9724-3bda71da770b.JPG/r0_267_4279_3488_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The two groups had hoped for a face-to-face meeting with the Prime Minister on his visit to Albury-Wodonga to raise issues of concern with him.
But the only acknowledgment they got was a wave from Mr Abbott as he entered the Albury Club for an invite-only function.
"We were hoping for more, but I am not surprised he avoided us," BRASS member and Greens candidate Jenny O'Connor said.
The 50-strong protest groups assembled in Wodonga, but were given the heads up of the Albury event and moved across the border.
They repeatedly chanted "refugees are welcome here" with one protester also screaming out "Cathy McGowan for Indi".
The protesters also raised the ire of some nearby workers upset with the chanting.