Australian War Memorial defaced with ‘pro-Palestine slogans’, ACT Policing hunts suspect

Police have joined the Australian War Memorial’s boss in condemning a man who allegedly graffitied the national institution with “pro-Palestine slogans”.

A senior police officer says Canberra’s cops are “very ashamed” of what has occurred in the nation’s capital, as they hunt a masked man who allegedly defaced the Australian War Memorial.

The national institution’s “desecration” has also been denounced by a veteran support organisation and the memorial’s boss, who called it “inappropriate and offensive”.

According to ACT Policing, which released a CCTV image of the suspect on Friday, the masked man graffitied three areas of the memorial with “pro-Palestine slogans” about 1am.

The man was wearing a black jumper, black face covering and khaki pants with dark knee patches at the time in question.

The slogans were quickly covered by tarpaulins and the officer in charge of Canberra’s City Police Station, Acting Inspector Lisa Broomhall, would not reveal what had been written.

A masked man, who is wanted after allegedly damaging the Australian War Memorial on Friday morning. Picture: ACT Policing

But she said she expected the community would be “quite devastated”, like the city’s police.

“We’re very ashamed that this has happened in Canberra,” Acting Inspector Broomhall said.

Acting Inspector Lisa Broomhall, of ACT Policing, speaks to reporters on Friday. Picture: Blake Foden

“The memorial’s been around for a long time and it’s quite strong in the hearts of a lot of the community, especially Canberrans.”

Australian War Memorial director Matt Anderson said he was “saddened by the graffiti which desecrated the heritage building”.

“The memorial’s purpose is to commemorate the sacrifice of those Australians who have died in war or on operational service,” Mr Anderson said.

“It is the memorial’s view that the vandalism is both inappropriate and offensive.

Australian War Memorial director Matt Anderson, centre, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition leader Peter Dutton. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“The matter is being handled by the Australian Federal Police.”

As police hunt the alleged vandal, Acting Inspector Broomhall has called on the public for any information that may help identify him.

At a press conference, she said police were trying to determine how the man had travelled to and from the memorial.

The senior officer added that police would look into any links between this incident and recent episodes of vandalism at Canberra’s Vietnam War memorial and local ABC offices, which were defaced earlier this year with slogans related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The Returned & Services League of Australia also released a statement on Friday afternoon, condemning the alleged graffiti attack “in the strongest possible terms”.

The organisation’s national president, Greg Melick, said “all-fair minded Australians” would deplore the desecration of a place like the war memorial.

“The vandal did not even have the courage to be identified and the painting of the slogans on the memorial is appalling,” Mr Melick said.

“People are entitled to protest, but the defilement of a memorial to those who served, suffered and died in the service of the Australian nation and to protect the freedoms and way of life of all Australians is disgusting and to be deplored.

“This action does absolutely nothing to advance the protesters’ cause and in fact will likely result in a major loss of support.

“The brave Australians who have served and died in serving our country in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations over the past century or more had nothing to do with the current conflict in Gaza or the situation confronting Palestinians, and to use our national war memorial as a platform to protest is contemptible.”

Anyone who can provide information on the incident or identify the suspect is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.

“Please quote reference number 7774192,” ACT Policing said.

“Information can be provided anonymously.”