Latest News: 'Moment lost': Public blocked from laying Anzac wreaths
Members of the public were prevented from laying wreaths at the Anzac Day dawn service in London, with some told to come back later after official guests had left.
Opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman
Opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie says Australians are tired of the “politicisation” of national institutions as pro-Palestine protests continue across university campuses in Sydney and Melbourne.
Speaking with Sky News on Thursday night, Mr Hastie reflected on the meaning of Anzac Day as a time to come together despite attempts to "divide us".
“I think what I'm detecting from a lot of people is that they’re tired of the constant politicisation of our institutions whether it be our schools, our universities, our sports and now Anzac Day,” he said.
“Australians are tired of radicals hijacking all there is (in) our life with politics. Anzac Day is a day of unity not of division, these people are trying to divide us and Australians are just tired of being divided.
“People had very little regard for these protestors,” he continued. “Sure this is a democracy, sure people are entitled to express their view, but it was disrespectful and it was a poorly chosen time indeed it was designed to hijack the very day where we come together.”
By Elizabeth Pike
Dutton: 'We can't be the internet police of the world'
Peter Dutton has labelled the eSafety commissioner’s orders for the global removal of videos of alleged Wakeley church stabbing as “silly”.
The opposition leader told 2GB radio on Thursday the Australian government could not be the “internet police of the world” and impose its laws beyond its borders.
“We can have a say about what images are online here in our country, we can’t influence what happens elsewhere in the world. I think it’s silly to try that,” he said.
“We can’t be the internet police of the world, I know the prime minister’s trying that at the moment.
“If we have a situation where you’ve got a cleric being stabbed, and that’s inciting violence, the law is very clear about the ability to take that down – but I don't think the law extends to other countries, nor should it.”
The comments appear to be at odds with his deputy, Sussan Ley, who earlier today vouched to back the eSafety commissioner “one hundred per cent” against X boss Elon Musk.
By Elizabeth Pike
Nation's 'defence issues' need addressing: Anderson
Former deputy prime minister John Anderson has questioned whether Australians today are “worthy descendants” of the Anzacs, after pro-Palestine rallies and terrorism-related charges coincided with the national day of remembrance.
Speaking to Sky News on Thursday night, Mr Anderson said Australia “desperately needed leadership” to address security and defence issues.
“We don't know what we would do with the aliens in our midst, and let’s be really honest about this, we've got a real problem. We know there are people in our midst who we would have to assume hate us so much that they wouldn't be on our side if something went wrong,” he said.
“What are the plans to identify those people and to make sure they don't become a danger from within if we are involved with external dangers that may involve our defence forces.
“The questions are endless – and this is Anzac Day,” he continued. “Are we really worthy of those descendants, of those giants who laid down their lives, 62,000 in the First World War alone, to ensure that we can live like we do today? Are we really worthy descendants of them?"
Deputy opposition leader Sussan Ley says she backs the eSafety commissioner “one hundred per cent” as the Australian government becomes increasingly embroiled in a battle with X boss Elon Musk.
Ms Ley shared her disappointment in Musk and the way the tech mogul had “taken over” the social media site after becoming its largest shareholder in 2022.
“I’m for X obeying the law and I'm not for the actions and the statements of our eSafety commissioner being ignored. We back her 100 per cent,” Ms Ley told Sky News.
“I’m really disappointed with the approach of Elon Musk and the way he’s taken over this company.
“It’s just a free for all and it’s not fair and it’s not right,” she said.
By Elizabeth Pike
Public blocked from laying wreaths at London service
People attend the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the New Zealand Memorial on April 25, 2024 in London, England. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Members of the public were prevented from laying wreaths at the Anzac Day dawn service in London.
The dawn service was attended by around 1000 Australians and New Zealanders, some with Australian flags, and one couple with their labrador dog. The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward arrived and laid the first wreath at the base of Wellington Arch.
However at the end of the short service, conducted in chilly two degree temperatures, and after Edward had departed, British police refused to allow the public access to the arch to pay their respects.
Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh attended the service. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward arrived and laid the first wreath. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images People gather for the service at the New Zealand Memorial in London, England. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images People gather for the service at the New Zealand Memorial in London, England. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
A Sydney lady said she wanted to lay a small wreath for her grandad who died in WWII fighting with the Australian forces to help the Allies and Free French against the Germans in Syria.
"But the police wouldn't let me go to the base of the arch – its blocked off by fences because only VIPs were allowed in. One officer told me to come back in the afternoon, which I will, but the moment is a little lost, isn't it? The whole point of being here at dawn is to pay respects in the quiet as the sun rises, not when London traffic is hooting horns."
The lady said the service had been impressive, in particular the moving speech of the New Zealand High Commissioner Phil Goff who spoke of sacrifice and the loss of his nephew in Afghanistan. Australia's high commissioner Stephen Smith recited a poem Not A Hero by Clyde Hamilton.
Another couple clutching a toy kangaroo with a small posie of flowers was also told to come back later after all the official guests had left for a special breakfast.
Near identical red wreaths wreaths had been placed by the two High commissioners, Defence staff in London on behalf of serving personnel in the defence forces of Australia, New Zealand and Britain , Australian agents- general and service organisations.
Diplomats at the service said the appropriate place for the public to place the wreaths and floral tributes was elsewhere at either the New Zealand war memorial further up Constution Hill or at the Australian war memorial down the hill because technically the Wellington Arch was not a war memorial – even though that was where the official service and photo opportunities took place.
VIPs at the service included former foreign minister Julie Bishop and Chelsea Pensioner Roy Palmer.
At Gallipoli Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said:
“The spirit of Anzac is selfless. It is about the other. It is about being there for one another. It’s about the precious and unbreakable bonds we all share”.
The Australians had lent a bugle to New Zealand for the service, after the Kiwi’s had lost musical instruments and soldiers’ uniforms enroute to Turkey.
A New Zealand spokesman John McLeod said: "All our team, including those without uniforms will participate in the Chunuk Bair service”.
Meanwhile The New Zealand and Australian High Commissions in London have refused to acknowledge that members of the public were prevented from laying wreaths at the Wellington Arch dawn service in London.
In a joint statement by the two high commissions, they said they strongly supported the importance of members of the public being able to pay their respects on Anzac Day, including by the laying of wreaths as appropriate.
However they offered no reason why the public was prevented from doing so.
Malaria aid ramped up in Pacific and Southeast Asia
Foreign minister Penny Wong. Picture: Rohan Thomson/ANU
Foreign minister Penny Wong has announced Australia will invest up to $30m in malaria-prevention in the Pacific and Southeast Asia to mark World Malaria Day.
In a statement released on Thursday, Ms Wong said the new funding package intends to support governments and communities across the region amid rising infection rates.
“New tools are urgently needed to address the emerging resistance to current treatments, and the impact of climate change, which threaten to roll back progress achieved against malaria,” the statement read.
“Malaria is not only a threat to the health and wellbeing of communities in the Pacific and Southeast Asia, it also impacts education, tourism and economic growth,” Ms Wong said.
“Investing in our partnerships with our region and its capacity to test and treat malaria is clearly in Australia's interest.”
Was it the right choice to dump Annastacia Palaszczuk for Steven Miles?
More than half of Queensland's declared Labor voters say they prefered Annastacia Palaszczuk as premier over her replacement Steven Miles, new polling reveals.
The YouGov results, published by the Courier Mail, show 51 per cent of polled Labor voters preferred Ms Palaszczuk as leader with 49 per cent choosing Mr Miles.
Of all the 1092 Queenslanders polled between April 9 and 17, 53 per cent chose Mr Miles as prefered premier and 47 per cent named Ms Palaszczuk when forced to choose between the two.
Ms Palaszczuk announced her shock resignation in December after months of mounting leadership speculation and factional pressure.
Pro-Palestine protesters pitch tents at Melbourne uni
A pro-Palestine protest has started at the University of Melbourne campus only days after a similar encampment was launched at the University of Sydney.
In a statement circulated on social media, the UniMelb for Palestine Action Group announced the ‘Gaza solidarity’ encampment would not move until a list of demands were met by the university brass.
The list of demands included calls for the institution to “divest from all companies complicit in the genocide in Gaza” and “stop accepting blood from war mongers and the death industry".
“A refusal to do so is antithetical to the university’s anti-racism commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students, including Palestinians,” the statement continued.
University of Melbourne for Palestine are currently holding an emcampment on campus until their demands are met pic.twitter.com/qBECSPPscR
— Amar Mustafa | امار مصطفى (@Amarmustafa_) April 25, 2024
Photos from the university campus reveal tents have been set up with protest signs including “no more blood on our degrees” and “Jews say stop arming Israel”.
A spokeswoman for the University of Melbourne said "all perspectives are welcome" on campus "but these must be expressed in a respectful way, so that everyone can fully participate in University life".
"A small group of students are exercising their right to protest at our Parkville campus this Anzac Day," she said in a statement.
"Freedom of speech is respected and supported at the University of Melbourne and is central to our values and identity. The University welcomes debate and peaceful protest on campus, provided it does not extend to violence, threat or intimidation. At all times, the safety of our staff, students and visitors is paramount.”
NSW Police have reminded those marking Anzac Day today to “act responsibly” and “know your limits” as events continue across the city.
It comes after the high-visibility police strategy 'Operation Anzac Day 2024' was put in place to safeguard the state’s largest gathering at the Dawn Service this morning.
Operation Commander, Assistant Commissioner Scott Whyte, reported the majority of attendees have shown respect at today’s commemorations.
“Anzac Day is an opportunity to come together to honour the courage and sacrifice of our servicemen and women both past and present, and that is exactly what Sydney did today,” he said.
“We now urge anyone continuing to mark the day to act responsibly, know your limits and look out for each other."
By Elizabeth Pike
Veterans Affairs Minister attends Villers-Bretonneux service
Thousands have gathered for the annual Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Australian National Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux in northern France.
Australian service men and women joined Veterans Affairs and Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh at the ceremony to mark the anniversary the village was recaptured by Allied forces in 1918.
The service reflected on the "shared memory" between Australia and France and the legacy of friendship forged during WW1 which has lived on “well beyond the battlefield”.
“A huge honour to be in France on the Western Front for the ANZAC Day commemorations here and to participate in other commemorations that have been happening in the lead up to today,” Mr Keogh earlier told Sky News Australia.
“Great to see Australians still turning out in droves, showing their commitment to honouring their family members that fought here and all Australians that fought here, and not just here, but around the globe.”
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