Key Takeaways
- Booing of Indigenous elders delivering welcome‑to‑country acknowledgments marred Anzac Day dawn services for a second consecutive year.
- The anti‑immigration group Fight for Australia (linked to March for Australia) encouraged followers to question how loudly they would boo, though its organizer denies having organized the disruption.
- Uncle Ray Minniecon, a veteran who was booed while giving an acknowledgment, described the hostility as “unexpected and unnecessary” and linked it to broader resentment after the failed 2023 Voice referendum.
- Political leaders across the spectrum condemned the booing as disrespectful and “un‑Australian,” while some argued that welcome‑to‑country ceremonies are overused and dilute their meaning.
- Western Australian police removed individuals associated with March for Australia from the Perth dawn service, citing concerns they would disrupt the ceremony.
- The controversy highlights ongoing tensions over the place of Indigenous recognition in national commemorations and reflects deeper societal debates about immigration, national identity, and “woke” rituals.
Background of the Booing Controversy
Anzac Day dawn services, traditionally solemn gatherings honouring Australian and New Zealand military personnel, featured welcome‑to‑country or acknowledgment‑of‑country statements delivered by Indigenous elders. In 2024 and again in 2025, these acknowledgments were met with audible booing from segments of the crowd, prompting widespread media coverage and public debate about the appropriateness of such reactions on a day dedicated to remembrance and respect.
Fight for Australia and March for Australia
Fight for Australia, described by its leader as the “sister group” of the larger March for Australia, has positioned itself as an anti‑immigration organization. March for Australia commands a substantial online following—36,000 on its main Facebook page and 21,000 in a community group—while Fight for Australia remains comparatively modest, with 350 Facebook followers and 242 on X. Both pages share similar content and cross‑promote each other’s posts, amplifying a unified message across platforms.
Bec Freedom’s Statements
The organizer behind both groups, known publicly as “Bec Freedom” (identified elsewhere as Bec Walker), addressed the booing directly. She refuted claims that her group had organised the disruption, stating that they merely posted questions such as “How loud will you be this year?” in response to perceived grassroots interest. Bec Freedom defended the posts, insisting that the booing expressed dissatisfaction with what she termed “woke rituals” on a solemn day, while maintaining that the ceremony itself and the service of veterans were respected.
Uncle Ray Minniecon’s Perspective
Uncle Ray Minniecon, an Indigenous veteran who delivered an acknowledgment at Sydney’s dawn service and was subsequently booed, described the experience as “unexpected and unnecessary, but it happens.” In interviews, he questioned why Indigenous Australians face such hostility, emphasizing that asking for acknowledgment of traditional owners is a simple act of respect. He linked the heightened animosity to the aftermath of the 2023 Voice referendum, which was defeated by a national 59‑41 margin, suggesting that the vote intensified feelings of exclusion among some sections of the populace.
Political Reactions
Leaders from across the political spectrum condemned the booing. Opposition leader Angus Taylor labelled the behaviour “inappropriate and un‑Australian,” though he argued that welcome‑to‑country acknowledgments are sometimes overused and risk being devalued. Greens leader Larissa Waters called the booing “utterly disgraceful,” noting the long history of Indigenous service in the defence forces. Liberal shadow treasurer Tim Wilson deemed it “unacceptable, disrespectful and unworthy of the Anzac legacy,” while One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce said he does not condone booing but opposes welcome‑to‑country at dawn ceremonies, asserting that veterans “don’t need to be welcomed to their country.” Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles described the booing as “disgraceful” and stressed that acknowledging traditional owners aligns with the respect central to Anzac Day.
Police Actions and Public Safety
In Perth, Western Australian police intervened pre‑emptively, removing five individuals linked to March for Australia from the dawn service after stating they would be removed due to the belief they would interrupt the ceremony. A subsequent police statement confirmed that 15 persons identified as members of “issue‑motivated groups” were escorted away, with no arrests made. The action underscored authorities’ concern that organized groups might seek to disrupt the solemn proceedings.
Indigenous Service and Symbolic Significance
Many commentators highlighted the deep connection between Indigenous Australians and the nation’s military history. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have served in every major conflict involving Australia, yet their contributions have often been overlooked. The welcome‑to‑country acknowledgment is viewed not as a political statement but as a recognition of ongoing custodianship of the land—a gesture that aligns with the values of respect and remembrance that Anzac Day seeks to embody.
Broader Social Context (Voice Referendum)
The resurgence of opposition to welcome‑to‑country ceremonies coincides with heightened public discourse following the 2023 Voice referendum, which sought to enshrine an Indigenous advisory body in the Constitution. Its defeat by a notable margin appears to have emboldened certain factions that view Indigenous recognition measures as unnecessary or divisive. The debate over booing thus reflects a larger struggle over national identity, immigration policy, and the extent to which Australia’s institutions should acknowledge its First Peoples.
Conclusion
The 2025 Anzac Day dawn services illuminated a persistent tension between traditional commemorative practices and evolving calls for Indigenous recognition. While organized groups such as Fight for Australia and March for Australia deny direct responsibility for the booing, their online rhetoric has undeniably contributed to a climate where dissent is voiced loudly and publicly. Political leaders, veterans, and Indigenous elders alike urge a return to the core principles of Anzac Day—respect, remembrance, and unity—suggesting that the path forward lies in embracing acknowledgments as an integral, respectful component of the nation’s remembrance rituals.