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Booing and heckling disrupted Indigenous Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country speeches at Anzac Day dawn services in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth on Saturday, drawing widespread condemnation from political leaders, veterans, and Indigenous community figures. The incidents have also reignited a national debate about the role of such ceremonies at commemorative events.

At Sydney's Martin Place service, Uncle Ray Minniecon, a Kabi-Kabi and Gurang-Gurang man and military veteran, was booed for more than a minute as he delivered the Acknowledgement of Country. Similar scenes unfolded in Melbourne, where Bunurong elder Uncle Mark Brown was interrupted during his Welcome to Country, and in Perth, where Whadjuk Noongar elder Di Ryder faced boos during her address.

Coverage Comparison

The incidents were reported extensively by Australian media, with coverage spanning local, national, and international outlets. Reports consistently confirmed the disruptions at all three services, though the emphasis varied. Some coverage focused on the emotional impact on the Indigenous speakers and the condemnation from officials, while other reports delved into the potential organized nature of the disruptions, including the role of an anti-immigration group that had encouraged supporters to question the inclusion of Welcome to Country ceremonies.

Key Claims

Disruptions at three services: Multiple sources confirmed that booing occurred at the dawn services in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. Uncle Ray Minniecon was booed in Sydney, Uncle Mark Brown in Melbourne, and Di Ryder in Perth. Reports described the booing as lasting over a minute in Sydney and being particularly loud in Perth when Ryder outlined her military service.

Leaders' condemnations: Political leaders and veterans' organizations voiced strong disapproval. WA Premier Roger Cook called the behavior "disgusting and disrespectful," while Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan described it as "bastardry." NSW Premier Chris Minns said he was "disappointed." Defence Minister Richard Marles called the booing "deeply disrespectful" and "disgraceful," and Acting Chief of Army Major General Richard Vagg described it as "disgraceful behaviour."

RSL responses: RSL WA chief executive Stephen Barton told the crowd in Perth that the booing was "one of the most disgraceful things I have ever heard" and said "we will not be bullied." RSL Australia president Peter Tinley expressed being "completely mystified and appalled" and noted there are "364 other days to make a statement." RSL Victoria president Mark Schroffel called the hecklers "weak-minded individuals."

Organized group involvement: Reports indicated that the anti-immigration group Fight for Australia, described as a "sister group" of March for Australia, had asked followers before Anzac Day whether they would boo Welcome to Country ceremonies. The group denied orchestrating a campaign but stood by its criticism of "woke rituals." The group's leader, known as "Bec Freedom," was quoted as saying people booed "to show we aren't happy with woke rituals taking place."

Police actions: In Perth, police issued move-on notices, with reports varying between 10 and 14 notices issued at Kings Park and Busselton. WA Police also removed 15 people identified as members of "issue motivated groups" from commemorations, according to a police statement. In Sydney, a 24-year-old man was arrested and charged with an alleged act of nuisance. Victoria Police said they were aware of two incidents but made no arrests.

Personal reactions: Di Ryder told ABC radio she was "mortified" that the booing happened on Anzac Day but said she felt she had "a right to be standing up there as a veteran and also a Noongar elder." Uncle Ray Minniecon said the booing was "unexpected and unnecessary" but also said he treated it as "water off a duck's back." He noted increased hostility since the 2023 Voice to Parliament referendum, attributing it to a sense of "legitimacy to attack us."

Perspectives

Indigenous leaders and veterans: Many expressed hurt and called for recognition of Indigenous service. Uncle Ray Minniecon emphasized that "this always was and always will be Aboriginal land" and described the disruption as "a white fella problem." Army captain Jack Pearson said "racism is a cancer to any society." Academic Marcia Langton called the booing a "despicable and ignorant moral crime" and suggested that offenders should be named and banned from future services.

RSL and political leaders: Condemnation was swift, with leaders emphasizing that Anzac Day should be a politics-free zone. RSL WA president Duncan Anderson called the hecklers "cretins." Some political figures, such as Liberal MP Angus Taylor, condemned the booing but also said Welcome to Country ceremonies were "overused" and "devalued," a view echoed by some others. RSL national president Peter Tinley said the decision to include such ceremonies is left to individual sub-branches.

Anti-immigration groups: Fight for Australia denied orchestrating the disruptions but defended its criticism of Welcome to Country ceremonies. The group's leader said the booing reflected displeasure with "woke rituals." The group had encouraged supporters to contact RSL branches ahead of Anzac Day.

Calls for action: Some have called for stronger measures to prevent future disruptions. Tanya Hosch, who led the AFL's Indigenous strategy after the Adam Goodes booing saga, said people feel "emboldened" to express racist views and that Australia has a "reluctance to call racism what it is." The RSL indicated it would consult the federal government and the AFL on anti-racism policies.