Multiple Anzac Day ceremonies across Australia were disrupted by booing of Indigenous elders giving welcome to country speeches, with an anti-immigration group accused of encouraging the behaviour.
According to multiple reports, an anti-immigration group called Fight for Australia asked its followers how loudly they would boo welcome to country ceremonies at Anzac Day dawn services. The group denied orchestrating a campaign but encouraged supporters to contact local RSL branches to request that such ceremonies not be included in events. Uncle Ray Minniecon, an Indigenous elder and ex-serviceman, was booed while giving a welcome at Sydney's dawn service.
Why do people hate us so much? What crime did we commit that brings this out from people? What did we do wrong to them? It's mysterious to us.
Fight for Australia is described as the 'sister group' of March for Australia, which has staged major anti-immigration rallies. March for Australia has 36,000 followers on its main Facebook page and a community group with 21,000 members. The organiser of both groups, known as 'Bec Freedom' (also reported as Bec Walker), has 35,000 Facebook followers and nearly 8,000 on X. Fight for Australia itself has 350 followers on Facebook and 242 on X. According to The Guardian - World, Freedom described the welcome to country ceremonies as disrespectful on a sacred day for soldiers and said her group did not organise the booing but did not apologise for the activity.
Social media controversies also emerged around Anzac Day. AFL WAG Annalise Dalins posted a sponsored 'fit check' video on Anzac Day, which drew criticism for being disrespectful. The video included an #ad disclosure and opened with her acknowledging the significance of the day. In the video, Dalins said: "As today is a super important special day it all just hits a little bit different paying our respects and really taking a moment to reflect." She also commented on the weather and her outfit. Negative comments on the post have since been removed. Commenters criticised the post, with one writing: "Monetizing for a little fit check off Anzac Days" and another saying: "This is putrid. They way the intro was I thought you actually meant it was a special day and you were going to reflect at a local dawn service lol but you turned it into a day about dressing up for footy lol."
I'd like to refute that this was a campaign organised by either myself or FightForAustralia/MarchForAustralia. We simply put a few posts up asking people if they would be booing this year due to the amount of grassroots public interest on this topic. But yes, I stand by the content I put out about it.
Federal Labor Senator Helen Polley deleted a social media video that mistakenly included audio of an explicit rap song over photos of Anzac Day commemorations. The rap song used was 'A$$ N Da Aurr' by American rapper Chingy. Polley's video included images of a marching band, people laying wreaths, and ex-serving members giving a speech at an Anzac Day ceremony in Launceston. Polley has about 1,700 followers on her official political Instagram page and about 80 on a separate page. A spokesperson for Polley said she has spent her life giving thanks to those who served, including her father who served in World War Two. Commenters on the video noted the inappropriate music, with one writing: "Odd choice of music for an Anzac Day collection."
Anzac Day celebrations also saw large queues outside pubs across Australia, with some venues seeing lines stretching over 100 metres. Two-up, a coin toss betting game that is illegal in most parts of Australia but permitted on Anzac Day, drew crowds. An Instagram page tracking venue queues posted: "Two-up at capacity, one in one out. Insane." British influencer Allegra Phipps called Anzac Day the 'best day of the year' and posted about having pre-drinks at 7am, drawing backlash. She deleted the video but later posted a response video with another content creator, hitting back at critics. Commenters criticised her remarks, with one writing: "Referring to ANZAC Day as the best day of the year is just extremely out of touch."
I'd say it is disrespectful to perform woke WTC/ATC on our soldiers' sacred day.
As today is a super important special day it all just hits a little bit different paying our respects and really taking a moment to reflect.
Melbourne has really delivered with the weather, it is the most beautiful afternoon.
I was planning on wearing this coat because I thought it would be freezing cold and it is like such a moment, however it is so warm, she won't be coming with me this week.
Monetizing for a little fit check off Anzac Days.
But wait. Let's go pies. This is horrible and very poor taste.
This is putrid. they way the intro was I though you actually [meant] it was a special day and you were going to reflect at a local dawn service lol but you turned it into a day about dressing up for footy lol.
Lest We Forget. The only note.
You gotta be a special type of ignorant and out of touch to think this was a good idea or remotely respectful. You're an absolute goose.
It has been the craziest few weeks of my life. It has been so amazing.
It's been so special to kind of have that love bubble in Greece, and now come home and share it with our family and friends.
Odd choice of music for an Anzac Day collection.
The music choice isn't good.
What the actual fuck with this music.
Pres (pre-drinks) at 7am?!!!!
How it feels to be super hot, funny, skinny, happy and not a member in a... Facebook group.