‘Cowards’: Anthony Albanese slams hecklers who interrupted Anzac Day Welcome to Country
Anthony Albanese didn’t mince words when addressing the “low act of cowardice” of those who booed the Welcome to Country at a Dawn Service.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unleashed on those who booed the Welcome to Country at Dawn Services in Melbourne and Perth this morning, saying they “must face the full force of the law”.
Neo-Nazis who attended the Shrine of Remembrance in the Melbourne CBD led the interruption at the traditional Anzac Day service when Bunurong elder Mark Brown began his Welcome to Country. Their booing was drowned out by the rest of the crowd who cheered in protest against their disruption. A similar heckling incident also occurred during a service at Perth’s Kings Park.
“There is no place in Australia for what occurred,” Mr Albanese told reporters in Canberra, labelling the behaviour “a disgrace”.
“The disruption of Anzac Day is beyond contempt, and the people responsible must face the full force of the law. This was an act of low cowardice on a day when we honour courage and sacrifice.
“Anzac Day is when we come together to remember all those who have served our country in war and the cause of peace, including those who continue to serve our nation today.”
The Prime Minister’s denouncement of the conduct follows that of other politicians and media figures, including Sunrise host Natalie Barr, who said the disruption was “disgusting”.
On Friday morning’s broadcast, which featured an interview with a woman who was present at the ceremony, Barr was clearly unimpressed.
“I thought it was horrific to have those people here booing, I thought that was absolute disrespect,” the guest said.
Barr then said she agreed with the woman’s summary: “Yeah, exactly. We do not care what you are sick of. Today is not the day to share it.”
Earlier, footage emerged of a veteran and Channel 9 reporter engaged in a charged conversation after the Dawn Service was marred by booing.
Nine’s Mark Santomartino and a veteran were filmed discussing the incident.
In the footage, the veteran can be heard to say “the reason why we’re here, is because our friends fought and died for this country, blood sweat and tears – like their ancestors did”.
He questioned whether it was “the right time and place” for a Welcome to Country.
“I have a lot of veteran mates that haven’t come today solely because of the Welcome to Country.
“Because our friends died for this country, for this soil – and for them to be welcomed is a slap in the face.”
Santomartino said he understood that some people might feel that way, but put to the veteran to boo “during a sacred ceremony is going to be seen by a lot of people as disrespectful”.
The man replied that Australians and the media needed to “tell the right story”.
“Yes it’s disrespectful, but these are the reasons why people are not agreeing with it,” the veteran said.
“Because it’s not the right time or place for it.”
Santomartino asked: “But not the right time or place for what?
“For both, for the welcome to country and for the booing. I agree with the whole service but the welcome to country and the booing,” the veteran replied.
“It’s not right to welcome veterans, World War Two … this is about all the people who have died for this country.
“For them to welcome us to this country is disrespectful.”
Neo-Nazi Jacob Hersant was seen being spoken to by police at the city’s flagship memorial service.
He was earlier seen in footage taken at the site talking to Santomartino saying the Welcome to Country “politicised” the event and “made it about white guilt”.
“This is about the Anzacs,” he said. “I can express my point of view to the public if I wish.”
He claims Australians were “scared of media pressure, scared of the government”.
Members of the crowd yell out that he is “racist” before the same veteran seen speaking with Santomartino in the other clip speaks up.
“I don’t agree, I don’t think he’s racist,” he says. “There’s a time and place for it. Is today the time and place? I don’t know.
“These people who fought and died, and bled for this country, to be welcomed on this day to me is not acceptable.”
The veteran is then seen to approach Santomartino before they walk off together.
It is not suggested the veteran holds any Nazi beliefs.
Politicians lambast ‘hateful disruption’
Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan slammed the “beyond disappointing” conduct.
“I strongly condemn the hateful disruption of this morning’s Dawn Service. A neo-Nazi disrupting this day is appalling – it has no place here,” she said in a statement.
“To pierce the sombre silence of The Dawn Service is more than disrespect – it dishonours all who have served, fought and fallen.
“And to boo the Aboriginal servicemen and women who served our nation shows ignorance, hatred and a complete lack of respect – for them and for everything Anzac Day stands for.”
Victoria Police have confirmed a 26-year-old Kensington man was being investigated in connection with the incident.
He has since been interviewed by police and was directed to leave the Shrine of Remembrance. No charges have yet been laid.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also condemned the disruption while speaking on Today shortly after attending a Dawn Service in his Dickson electorate.
“Our Diggers fought against the Nazis. That this movement, the neo-Nazis, has any presence in our country at all is just an outrage and a disgrace,” he said during an appearance on Today.
“You look at the Nazi ideology, the deaths that it led to, the destruction – not just in Europe but across the world … that it could be glorified by Australians here shows that these people are mentally unwell.
“It should be condemned and police come down heavily on them. It just has no place in our community and our society whatsoever.”
Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh shared a similar sentiment.
“We know now that that booing was led by someone who’s a known neo-Nazi,” he said.
“And frankly, when we come together to commemorate on Anzac Day, we’re commemorating some of those soldiers who fell in a war that was fought against that sort of hateful ideology,” Mr Keogh said.
“I’ve seen the public reporting of at least one of the names of one of the people that was involved in that and that person is known publicly for their engagement as in neo-Nazi activity in Australia.”
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said those involved were “idiots” who had disrupted the way Australians wanted to commemorate the “sacred day”.
“The sentiment that was on show here at the Shrine of Remembrance here in Melbourne was very much present,” he told Sky News.
“It was a beautiful service and a service befitting of all of those who have worn our nation’s uniform, and that is what I want to focus on.”
Another heated exchange broke out among members of the crowd gathered at the Australian War Memorial for the national Dawn Service.
An attendee was heard yelling out, “Free Palestine” following the playing of the Reveille.
Another person said in response: “Go kick a landmine”.
Originally published as ‘Cowards’: Anthony Albanese slams hecklers who interrupted Anzac Day Welcome to Country
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