ONE protester was injured by a police horse in wild scenes as Prime Minister Tony Abbott spoke to an audience of about 400 at Adelaide University on Thursday night.

There were no arrests and Mr Abbott avoided direct contact with about 500 protesters when his car entered an underground carpark with direct access to the lecture theatre.

But when about 100 protesters breached a police perimeter fence around the Braggs Lecture

Theatre, second year commerce student Rhiannon Harmer, 19, received a foot injury as eight police horses forced the students back.

A student has hurt her ankle after a pack of horse surged the pack of protestors #PMVisit #AbbottFence pic.twitter.com/yx7Hpu4p2c — Student Radio (@austudentradio) August 21, 2014

“Everybody was moving back but I didn’t get enough time to go backwards and the horse trampled me quickly and my foot got caught under the hoof,’’ she said.

“They didn’t give us any warning to move and there was nowhere to go anyway.’’

Despite the presence of about 50 police, and being within 300m of the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Ms Harmer waited for an ambulance for about 20 minutes.

media_camera Protester Rhiannon Harmer’s was injured by one of the police horses. Picture: Sarah Reed.

The students chanted protests in opposition to Federal Government policies of asylum seekers, student fees, gay marriage, job losses, wages and conditions as Mr Abbott’s car arrived.

The 400 who came to hear Mr Abbott deliver the Sir John Downer Oration, were jeered and abused by the protesters but there was no physical contact.

media_camera Mounted police try to control the rally at Adelaide University. Picture: Campbell Brodie.

Police ordered one of the audience members back when he advanced on the students.

Former Mitcham Mayor and prominent Adelaide businessman Lyn Parnell attempted to engage the students in debate when he entered the hall but was yelled down with chants of “Tory scum”.

media_camera A man argues with protesters earlier in the evening. Picture Campbell Brodie.

“I was from a poor background and I just wanted to ask them, given I paid for my degree six years ago through hard work, why should they expect me to fund their degree,’’ he told The Advertiser.

media_camera Protesters gathers ahead of Tony Abbott’s. Picture: Tom Huntley

“These are people not about to substantiate their argument, just being vocal with no substance.’’

Others to enter the hall were also jeered and the protesters also chanted “Free, free the refugee”, “Free, free Palestine” and “Education should be free, not just for the bourgeois”.

Visitors now leaving the John Bray oration, Police are front row to help then get out safely. #PMVisit #AbbottFence pic.twitter.com/9RgSxFwtmy — Student Radio (@austudentradio) August 21, 2014