Anzac Day 2021: Sydney march numbers could have no restrictions

The NSW RSL is applying for an exemption to allow this year’s Anzac Day march through Sydney’s CBD to go on without COVID restrictions.

The NSW RSL is applying for an exemption to allow a completely unticketed march on Anzac Day that would put no limit on participants or spectators.

Police Minister David Elliott has already pledged to double the number of marchers from 5000 to 10,000 if enough register to march through the centre of Sydney on April 25.

And if COVID-19 community transmission rates remain low the number of spectators allowed to attend and watch the march will be ­unrestricted.

Mr Elliott welcomed the RSL call for an unlimited march and said: “If we can do it we will but we still have to obey public health orders.”

There are moves to allow a full, unrestricted march through Sydney this Anzac Day. Picture: Peter Wallis

Prime Minister Scott Morrison welcomed this week’s easing of restrictions from just 500 to 5000 and said: “I’m very pleased that Anzac Day is on. I’m very pleased that we’re seeing changes being made to facilitate that happening right across Australia.”

A statement from RSL NSW said it would “apply to the NSW Government to approve an exemption for an un-ticketed Sydney CBD March for an ­unlimited number of participants and spectators.”

Outside Sydney up to 3000 people will be allowed to attend Anzac Day ceremonies with marchers required to register.

VETS’ ANZAC DAY MARCH VICTORY

It’s VP Day — Victory for Parades — in Sydney after the cap on the number of participants in this year’s Anzac March was boosted 10-fold to 5000 last night following a push from The Daily Telegraph and a crisis meeting in NSW Parliament.

Police Minister David Elliott called the key stakeholders from the NSW RSL, health department and veterans together yesterday for urgent talks after furious veterans united in protest the initial COVID-19 cap of just 500 for 2021’s commemorative parade through the Harbour City.

The meeting initially boosted that COVID-19 numbers cap to 3500 Anzac Day marchers before a subsequent increase to 5000 was made last night.

This is a welcome step in the right direction so that more people can pay their respects. https://t.co/rzEFrsReoW

— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) March 9, 2021

The move was welcomed by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who had earlier backed Aussie Diggers’ calls.

Veterans were angry at restrictions to the commemorative march after 5000 people marched past 33,000 spectators at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday night for the Mardi Gras parade while 600 more participants held a protest on Oxford Street.

“If people can party, and if ­people can protest, then we can ­remember as a nation and honour our veterans on Anzac Day,” Mr Morrison said earlier yesterday.

Vietnam veteran Peter McFarlane, 79, an RSL Life Member, said the increase in marchers was also a great result. “Thank goodness they woke up to themselves and common sense has prevailed,” he said.

“There was a lot of grumbling about it and this solution will save us all a lot of angst. And the good news is that we will be able to go and have a beer after.”

Professor Nigel McMillan, infectious diseases expert at Griffith University, said the lack of locally acquired COVID-19 cases meant the risk was actually very low but the “highly vulnerable” nature of the participants meant a slightly more organised and controlled ­approach would be safest.

The new proposal means 5000 serving and veteran members of the armed forces plus ceremonial bands will now be marching along Elizabeth St on April 25.

The parade will include active and former members of all three services — army, navy and air force — plus 500 descendants of veterans. Each person will be allowed to invite two guests who will be able to line the route, which is expected to mirror the 2019 parade route and finish at Hyde Park’s War Memorial.

Each veteran will be allowed to invite two guests.

The proposal will be forwarded to the Department of Health for an exemption to COVID-19 rules and it is understood Health Minister Brad Hazzard is very keen to give it the stamp of approval.

“As far as I am concerned reunions are back on,” Mr Elliott said. “In fact I am encouraging them.”

However, Vietnam vet Henry Chisholm still felt that the new numbers still fell far short of the 16,000 who marched on Anzac Day 2019. “I am disappointed with that, it should be all or nothing,” he said.

The police minister called together representatives from the NSW RSL, health department and veterans affairs after The Daily Telegraph reported veteran anger at needing to enter a ballot to be one of just 500 marchers.

The new proposal will see 3500 serving and veteran members of the armed forces plus ceremonial bands marching along Elizabeth Street. The parade will include active and former members of all three services – army, navy and airforce – plus 500 descendants of veterans.

Each person will be allowed to invite two guests who will be able to line the route, which is expected to mirror the 2019 parade route and finish at the War Memorial at Hyde Park.

The proposal will be forwarded to the Department of Health for an exemption to coronavirus rules and it is understood Health Minister Brad Hazzard is very keen to give it the stamp of approval.

“As far as I am concerned reunions are back on,” Mr Elliott said. “In fact I am encouraging them.”

However he said reunions at pubs and clubs should be pre-booked in order to comply with public health orders. “Of course the unique circumstances mean there will be some restrictions but I am confident the veterans community will embrace this and for most participants it will seem like business as usual.”

He said he had already spoken to the Australian Hotels Association about the plans and said members were looking forward to a resumption of what is traditionally one of the biggest days of the year.

Originally published as Anzac Day 2021: Sydney march numbers could have no restrictions