‘Ugly nonsense’: more police call after Anzac Day boos
The lack of respect shown at Recognition of Country ceremonies on Anzac Day has led to calls for more police to be present at future dawn services.
The impact was still being felt on Monday after Indigenous speakers were booed at services in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, prompting booing and condemnation.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli also attracted attention on Saturday by attending an Anzac Day ceremony that did not include any thanks.
Prominent Indigenous activist and academic Marcia Langton on Monday accused “forces on the right” of perverting the meaning of Welcome to Country and called for more police at dawn services.
Five people reportedly linked to the anti-immigration March for Australia group were reportedly expelled from the ceremony in Perth.
March for Australia saw a series of anti-immigration rallies take place across the country; some of these also included neo-Nazi speakers and participants.
“I think there needs to be a greater police presence to protect those celebrating Anzac Day,” Professor Langton told ABC Melbourne on Monday.
Fifteen movement orders were issued across WA, while several people were removed from a crowd of 11,000 in Sydney and one was charged with causing a nuisance.
Prof Langton said the problem was that the people bothering Welcome to Country didn’t know anything about it.
“They think this is welcome to Australia, but it’s not. Welcome to the land of the original people where the Anzac ceremony took place,” he said.
“The forces of the right have perverted the meaning of the Welcome to Country ceremony and turned it into a very ugly farce.”
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor condemned the booing but suggested Welcome to Country ceremonies could be overused.
Asked for his answer, Prof Langton said: “Every morning at school we had to stand in the parade and sing the national anthem – it was such an extravagant thing to do.
“Welcome to Country or Acceptance of Country is usually very short… rare, only for special occasions.
“A very polite and gracious way to get to know the Traditional Owners.”
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles took aim at Mr Taylor’s claim, saying the “overwhelming response” from Australians to Anzac Day booing was anger.
Mr Marles emphasized that Anzac Day was also about recognizing the long history of Indigenous Australians’ service in the defense force.
This year we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong, where Australia’s first Indigenous officer, Captain Reg Saunders, served with distinction.
“All of this needs to be recognized and celebrated on Anzac Day and there is no room for this booing,” Mr Marles said.
Meanwhile, the Queensland premier has faced criticism for attending the dawn ceremony in Townsville, which did not include a Welcome to Country or Acknowledgment of Country.
Minister of State John-Paul Langbroek said on Monday he had also attended a Gold Coast event that did not include ceremonies.
He said RSL branches, not the state government, were responsible for co-ordinating Anzac Day service protocols.
“The important issue is that the publicity for the meeting the premier attended in Townsville was not arranged by the state government,” Mr Langbroek told reporters on Monday. he said.
RSL Queensland has been contacted for comment.
