Anzac Day dawn services in Sydney and Melbourne were disrupted by booing during Welcome to Country ceremonies, drawing widespread condemnation from political leaders, veterans, and Indigenous advocates. At the Martin Place service in Sydney, Aboriginal elder and veteran Uncle Ray Minniecon was booed as he delivered an Acknowledgement of Country, according to multiple reports. Uncle Ray Minniecon, whose grandfather served in the Light Horse Brigade, later told a press conference that there are laws to deter such behavior but some people still want to be lawless. He added that they need to realize their place in this country and show their deepest respect. In Melbourne, booing also occurred at the Shrine of Remembrance during the Acknowledgement of Country, major media reported. Uncle Jack Pearson, a Yimithurr man and captain in the Australian army, condemned the booing, according to major media. He said racism in any form is a cancer to society and that while free speech and protest are fine, they must be respectful, especially on a special day like Anzac Day. Marcia Langton, laureate professor of Indigenous studies at the University of Melbourne, described those who booed as committing a despicable and ignorant moral crime, according to major media. Langton said the disruptors deserve more than contempt and should be named, photographed, and banned from all future Anzac Day services.
Police took action to prevent further disruptions. A 24-year-old man was arrested at Sydney's Martin Place for an alleged act of nuisance during the dawn service, NSW Police said. In Perth, WA Police blocked 15 people identified as members of 'issue-motivated groups' from attending dawn services, according to WA Police. WA Police issued 15 formal move-on orders across WA, 14 in metropolitan Perth and one in regional WA, with no arrests, the force reported. A WA Police officer was recorded telling one individual that due to his association with the March for Australia group and their actions in the eastern states, he was being removed from the ceremony because of the belief he would interrupt it. The officer added that if he failed to leave, he would be arrested and taken to Perth Watch House. WA Police stated that Anzac services are not the time or place for disruption, provocation, or criminal behavior of any kind. The force also said these actions reflect the behavior of a small minority and do not represent the values of the overwhelming majority of people who attended Anzac Day services respectfully across Western Australia. WA Police attended to protect the dignity of the commemorations, maintain public safety, and ensure the community could pay their respects without disruption.
Anzac services are not the time or place for disruption, provocation or criminal behaviour of any kind.
Crowd sizes at major services were significantly larger than previous years. About 11,000 people attended the Martin Place service, up from 4,000 last year, according to major media. Up to 30,000 people attended a service at nearby North Bondi, major media reported. More than 50,000 people attended the Melbourne service, according to major media. The increased attendance reflected a strong desire to honor veterans despite the disruptions.
The right-wing group Fight for Australia (formerly March for Australia) appeared to take credit for the hecklers, according to Daily Mail - News. Organiser Bec Freedom posted a montage of disruptive moments on social media, major media reported. Bec Freedom encouraged followers to 'express disapproval' of Welcome to Country ceremonies on Anzac Day, according to major media. The group's involvement raised concerns about coordinated efforts to disrupt the ceremonies.
These actions reflect the behaviour of a small minority and do not represent the values of the overwhelming majority of people who attended Anzac Day services respectfully across Western Australia.
In contrast, a Welcome to Country ceremony at the MCG received a positive reception. According to Daily Mail - Sport, Uncle Colin Hunter Jr described the gathering as being on the lands of his ancestors, the Wurundjeri people, and acknowledged the men and women who have served the country. He received huge cheers and a standing ovation, major media reported. Almost 100,000 AFL fans attended the Anzac Day match at the MCG, according to major media. The warm reception at the MCG stood in stark contrast to the disruptions at dawn services.
Two Melbourne war memorials were vandalized on the eve of Anzac Day, according to major media. The Answering the Call statue in Port Melbourne was defaced with anti-war slogans and red paint, major media reported. The Centenary Bridge pylon at Station Pier was vandalized with 'No warships 4 AUKUS', according to major media. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan described the vandalism as disgusting behavior, according to a press conference. Port Phillip Mayor Alex Makin said this desecration is especially disappointing as Anzac Day is not about glorifying war but about coming together to pay respects to those who served, including those who never returned.
WA Police attended to protect the dignity of the commemorations, maintain public safety, and ensure the community could pay their respects without disruption.
Ben Roberts-Smith attended an Anzac Day dawn service at Currumbin Beach on the Gold Coast, according to major media. Roberts-Smith, a former SAS soldier who was found to have committed war crimes in a civil case, told a wire report that he never thought about not coming and was always going to be there. His attendance drew attention given his controversial status.
Brigadier Vincent Williams, Acting president of RSL NSW, condemned the disruptions in a press conference. He said Anzac Day is the most sacred date on the national calendar, a time for quiet reflection, unity, and respect to honor the service and sacrifice of all who have served. He added that it is particularly disappointing because Uncle Ray, who delivered the Acknowledgement of Country, is himself a veteran who has served Australia with pride. Williams stated there is no place for such disruption or disrespect on Anzac Day, and Australians rightly expect to come together in unity to honor service with the respect it deserves. NSW Premier Chris Minns also issued a statement saying Anzac Day should always be treated with the respect, solemnity, and reverence it deserves. He noted that while he had never before heard booing like that at a dawn service, he had also never heard a crowd spontaneously applaud as they did for Uncle Ray Minniecon. Minns added that act made clear what the views of the vast majority attending were, and that this is a day to honor sacrifice.
Police thank the community for the respectful and dignified manner in which the vast majority conducted themselves.
Whether booing occurred in Adelaide remains unconfirmed. One article mentioned Adelaide as a location of disruption, but other reports did not confirm this, focusing only on Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. This could be an error or an unconfirmed report. The exact connection between the hecklers and the group Fight for Australia is also uncertain, as is whether any individuals were arrested or charged in Melbourne or Perth for disruptions. The federal government's official response to the disruptions has not been detailed.
I would like to start by saying that this afternoon we are gathering on the lands of my ancestors, the Wurundjeri people.
I want to acknowledge the men and women who have served this country and I want to pay my deepest respects to them.
Wominjeka, welcome. Enjoy the game.