Key Takeaways
- Booing disrupted Indigenous acknowledgements of country at Anzac Day dawn services in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, marring traditional commemorations.
- Authorities, RSL leaders, politicians, and Indigenous elders universally condemned the booing as disgraceful, disrespectful, and contrary to the spirit of Anzac Day.
- Indigenous elders emphasized that acknowledgements of country are essential acts of respect and highlighted the long history of racism faced by First Nations peoples.
- Despite the disruptions, the vast majority of attendees responded with applause and support for the Indigenous speakers, demonstrating strong community backing for inclusivity.
- Ben Roberts-Smith, a highly decorated soldier facing serious war crimes charges related to alleged murders in Afghanistan, attended the Gold Coast dawn service, while a separate white nationalist group planned a rally in his support in Melbourne.
Booing Mars Indigenous Acknowledgements Across Major Cities
Anzac Day dawn services in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth were interrupted by booing during the traditional Indigenous acknowledgements of country. In Sydney’s Martin Place service, a small but noisy group disrupted Uncle Ray Minniecon’s welcome, leading to the arrest of a 24-year-old man for alleged nuisance; police noted others were moved on from the area. Similar disturbances occurred in Melbourne, where Uncle Mark Brown (Bunurong and Gunditjmara) delivered his welcome amidst booing, and in Perth, where Whadjuk and Noongar elder Di Ryder faced heckling during her address. These incidents echoed disruptions from the previous year’s commemorations, signalling a persistent, though minority, undercurrent of opposition to this element of the service.
Widespread Condemnation of Disrespectful Behaviour
The booing drew immediate and strong rebukes from officials and community leaders across the political and military spectrum. RSL NSW’s acting president, Vincent Williams, labelled it “the most appalling act I’ve ever seen at a dawn service,” praising Minniecon’s family for their long national service and dismissing the booers as having done “nothing constructive for our nation.” RSL Victoria president Mark Schroffel stated those who booed were “weak-minded individuals who do not belong at this service,” emphasizing they were overwhelmed by supportive attendees. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan called the interruption “bastardry,” stressing it disrespected Aboriginal servicemen and women and all who fought for freedoms. Acting Chief of Army Maj Gen Richard Vagg deemed the heckling “disgraceful behaviour,” while Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles called it “disgraceful and deeply disappointing,” affirming that acknowledgements of country are fundamental acts of respect befitting the day’s purpose.
Indigenous Perspective: Respect Amidst Historical Injustice
Indigenous speakers directly addressed the significance of the acknowledgements and the pain caused by the disruptions. Uncle Ray Minniecon told the ABC that those booing needed to understand “this always was and always will be Aboriginal land,” framing the behaviour as part of a enduring pattern: “We have experienced this type of racism for over 230-odd years… It really is a whitefulla problem, not a blackfulla problem.” Uncle Mark Brown in Melbourne framed the welcome as recognition of First Nations “traditions and service,” with Schroffel noting the booers showed they failed to grasp this core meaning. Di Ryder in Perth, identified as an army veteran by RSL WA’s CEO Stephen Barton (who called the booing “one of the most disgraceful things I have ever heard”), represented the continued service and contribution of Indigenous Australians that the acknowledgements seek to honour. Their statements collectively underscored that the welcome is not merely symbolic but a necessary act of truth-telling and respect on land whose sovereignty was never ceded.
Anzac Day’s Solemn Meaning Amidst Disruption
The booing incidents occurred against the backdrop of the 111th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings on April 25, 1915, where Australian and New Zealand Forces (ANZAC) landed on the Turkish coast in a costly, ultimately unsuccessful campaign to control the Dardanelles Strait. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers died during the eight-month operation. Anzac Day has evolved beyond commemorating this specific battle to honour all Australians who have served and died in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. The dawn service tradition, originating from military “stand-to” routines at first light, is intended as a solemn moment of reflection and remembrance. Leaders like Allan and Marles explicitly linked the booing to a violation of this sacred atmosphere, arguing that politicizing the day or disrupting its respect undermines the very freedoms and sacrifices the day commemorates. The overwhelming applause and cheering that followed the disruptions in Sydney and Melbourne, as noted by officials, demonstrated that most attendees sought to uphold this spirit of reverence and unity.
Roberts-Smith Attends Service Amidst War Crimes Charges
In contrast to the disruptions elsewhere, Ben Roberts-Smith, one of Australia’s most decorated soldiers, attended the Anzac Dawn Service at Currumbin Beach on the Gold Coast without incident. His presence was notable given his current legal situation: charged this month with five counts of murder as a war crime, each carrying a potential life sentence. The allegations stem from his service in the Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012. Court documents allege he killed unarmed, handcuffed civilians who were in Australian military custody and posed no threat, in scenarios without active combat, and that he both personally killed some victims and ordered subordinates to execute others. Roberts-Smith has consistently denied all charges, stating he “categorically deny[s] all of these allegations” and telling reporters at the Gold Coast service, “I never thought about not coming. I was always going to be here.” His attendance occurred separately from the booing incidents in other cities but highlighted a concurrent national conversation about accountability for military conduct.
Nationalist Group Plans Rally in Support Amidst Controversy
Coinciding with Roberts-Smith’s Gold Coast appearance, a Melbourne-based group announced plans for a rally on the following Sunday (April 27) supporting him and calling for the charges to be dropped. Organized by the National Workers Alliance, which describes itself as an “Australian nationalist organisation for the preservation of European culture and identity” and whose founder identifies as a “white nationalist,” the rally was also promoted by Fight for Australia (formerly March for Australia), known for anti-immigration rallies. Fight for Australia had been urging supporters to pressure local RSL branches to remove welcomes to country from Anzac ceremonies, even boasting online about potentially booing the acknowledgement, accompanied by footage from Melbourne’s 2025 service where Uncle Mark Brown was disrupted. Crucially, a spokesperson emphasized that neither Roberts-Smith nor his family were involved in organizing or endorsing this rally, distancing the soldier from the explicitly nationalist and exclusionary agenda driving the event. This separate development underscored how the Anzac Day commemorations became a focal point for broader societal debates about military accountability, national identity, and the inclusion of First Nations perspectives.