Veterans threaten Anzac Day boycott as police question numbers

Victoria Police does not believe there will be a last-minute surge of spectators and veterans attending Melbourne’s Anzac Day march, after the state’s RSL extended registration deadlines.

Melbourne's Anzac Day march in 2019. Picture: Jason Edwards

Victoria Police does not believe there will be a last-minute surge of spectators and veterans attending Melbourne’s Anzac Day march, after the state’s RSL extended registration deadlines.

A number of veterans associations believe Diggers may still decide to turn up unannounced after only 1358 of 5500 registered by Tuesday afternoon and amid a looming decision about whether or not 100,000 fans will be allowed to attend the Anzac Day AFL match.

Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia Victoria president Bob Elworthy said he was aware of at least one Vietnam vet group that had decided to boycott the march altogether.

“I would be almost 100 per cent certain some veterans are disgruntled and there might well be a number who decide they won’t turn up. But (some) also some may show up unannounced,” Mr ­Elworthy said.

A popular question we receive during April is why a sprig of Rosemary is worn by many on ANZAC Day. Rosemary is an...

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“Veterans, if you like, regard Anzac Day almost like a rite of passage – they have a right to march but more importantly they have a desire to,” he said.

“I find it hard to reconcile the capping of numbers against other activities such as the football … it appears to be a double standard.”

Young Veterans founder Scott May said the decision to limit attendees at the march was a “kick in the teeth” for some veterans, ­although they would do whatever it takes to commemorate the ­occasion.

“The reason the MCG has a blockbuster game is because of veterans 100 years ago … 19-year-olds on boats were being slaughtered on the beaches of Gallipoli,” the Afghanistan veteran said.

“The MCG and (football clubs) stand to make money from that … yet (servicemen and women) can’t come out of the woodwork to march down the street with their medals.

“I can see that there is a movement of defiance against that order (the need to register). It’s an emotionally charged subject to be thinking about.”

Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans’ Association vice-president Ian Lindgren said some veterans were “annoyed”, but their desire to “gather with friends” was stronger.

“General veteran sentiment is one of being perplexed at the need to have to register for an Anzac Day march when you consider that large sporting events, which perhaps aren’t as significant to Australian society as Anzac Day, much more freely have the ability for people to attend in large numbers,” he said.

“In particular where the numbers are restricted quite a lot (and) they are annoyed, but being veterans at the same time their desire is to solve the problems and commemorate … so they move rather rapidly to gather with their friends,” he said.

It is understood Victoria Police does not think there will be a late surge in unexpected attendees at the Anzac Day service, but is prepared for a last-minute increase in numbers on Sunday.

“Police have been working closely with key partners, including local councils and RSL Victoria, to extensively plan and prepare, and we are expecting it to be a safe event,” a police spokeswoman said.

“Uniformed police will be supported by specialist units including Highway Patrol, Protective Services Officers and Mounted Branch to provide reassurance and swiftly intervene in any incidents that may occur.”

RSL Victoria chief Jamie ­Twidale said there were “plans in place to manage anyone who turns up to march and has not ­registered”.

Descendants, veterans and servicemen and women now have until Saturday to register.