If you like this article, share it with your friends. Anthony Albanese has called hecklers of the Welcome to Country component of Anzac Day events in Melbourne and Perth a “disgrace” for distracting from the gratitude and recognition that Australia’s servicemen and women deserve. Dawn service ceremonies at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance and Perth’s King’s Park were interrupted by boos and protests on April 25.
The vocal disruption from a handful of crowdgoers competed with attempts by local elders and state governors to address tens of thousands who had gathered to participate in the Anzac Day commemorations. In a statement, the PM said the troublemakers had attempted to detract from the day meant to honour courage in “an act of low cowardice.” “The disruption of Anzac Day is a disgraceful act and the people responsible must face the full force of the law,” Albanese said. “This was an act of low cowardice on a day when we honour courage.” In Melbourne, a self-identified neo-Nazi and known rabble-raiser Jacob Hersant was led away by police for leading the dawn service ruckus.
The PM was in Canberra for the national commemoration at the Australian War Memorial last week. For the Australian and New Zealand troops who landed on Gallipoli’s beaches 110 years ago, Albanese said the battle those troops faced forged the beginning of the Anzac legend. “Little did they know their story would shape both our nations for generations to come,” he said.
There was “no place” in Australia for the disrespect shown on Friday, Albanese said, and what mattered was reiterating a commitment to caring, supporting and recognising Australia’s veterans and families. Anzac Day was about coming together and remembering those who had served our country in war and the cause of peace, he added. “We honour all who have volunteered, sacrificed, and died for our nation, including indigenous Australians,” the PM said.
“The words that matter today are the simple and sacred promise Australians repeated in their millions — lest we forget.” According to the Australian Lawyers Association (AALA), the unrest is part of a trend of increasing scrutiny and challenge to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across society. Belinda Wong, vice president of the AALA, said it was critical that DEI be defended and strengthened at a time when DEI criticism and divisive rhetoric were taking off around the world. “Our multicultural society is one of Australia’s greatest strengths.
Diversity makes our legal profession, and our country, more innovative, more compassionate, and more just,” Wong said. “The AALA stands united in its belief that fostering a diverse and inclusive Australia is not just an ethical imperative, but essential to the strength and fairness of our democracy and legal system.” The legal advocacy group called for all political candidates to celebrate Australia’s multicultural communities and equal access to justice ahead of the May 3 federal election next week. “Equity must not be seen as optional — it is fundamental to achieving justice for all Australians,” Wong said.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton said “almost 100%” of Anzac Day attendees showed nothing but respect and kept politics out of the commemorative ceremonies. “We should condemn those bad actions,” Dutton said. “In relation to a Welcome to Country, if an organiser of a particular event decides that there’s a Welcome to Country, then people can respect that decision.” READ MORE: Coalition shuns recommendation to recommence Indigenous inquiry after poll
