Victorians face jail, fines for profiting off Anzac Day tradition

Don’t call an Anzac biscuit a “cookie” or try to cash in on the day by promoting your business. These are the Anzac Day regulations that could land you in hot water — and how to avoid getting caught out.

You could face jail for using a different Anzac biscuit recipe. Picture: Josie Hayden

Anyone who dramatically changes the Anzac biscuit recipe or tries to cash in on the commemoration of the Anzacs could face jail or huge fines.

The word Anzac - or any word resembling it - cannot be used for commercial purposes without permission from the federal veterans’ affairs minister.

RSL NSW president James Brown said a lot of different companies had used Anzac to boost sales on or around April 25.

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“We’ve had people doing Anzac-related cocktail nights, a plastic surgeon a couple of years ago offered an Anzac special,” he told Seven’s Sunrise on Tuesday.

“That needs to be strictly policed not only by officials but the public as well.

“If you’re going to a pub and they’re advertising on Anzac Day and they are not donating to a veterans’ charity, ask why and choose (to go) somewhere else.”

NSW RSL President James Brown has warned against cashing in on Anzac Day. Picture: John Appleyard

Serious breaches of the Anzac law can be punished with up to 12 months’ jail.

Fines of up to $10,200 for a person and $51,000 for a company can also be imposed.

“The Department of Veterans’ Affairs controls the use of the word so no one profits off a day that is meant to commemorate the memory of people who sacrificed for this country,” Mr Brown said.

DVA says applications for Anzac biscuits are normally approved, provided the product generally conforms to the traditional recipe and shape and are referred to as ‘Anzac biscuits’ or ‘Anzac slice’.

“Referring to these products as ‘Anzac Cookies’ is generally not approved, due to the non-Australian overtones,” the department says on its website.

The warnings follow the AFL coming under-fire for announcing Australian rock band Birds of Tokyo would play before the Anzac Day blockbuster between Collingwood and Essendon.

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RSL Victoria President Dr Robert Webster said it would be better to have the band play after the game instead of before it.