Daniel Andrews slammed by Julie Bishop for wanting to make Anzac Day political issue

Victoria’s Veterans Affairs Minister has not completely ruled out changes to Anzac Day that seek to include Aboriginal warriors.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. Picture: AAP

Victoria’s Veterans Affairs Minister failed to completely rule out changes to Anzac Day services to commemorate Aboriginal warriors who were killed fighting colonisation.

Labor state minister John Eren originally ruled out changes to the services outlined in a report from the Department of Premier and Cabinet from last August.

“I can categorically say no changes will be implemented in relation to the services,” he said.

But he later backtracked and said any changes could happen if the Returned Services League and other veterans’ group supported it.

“It would be only then, with a consultation on enhancing the commemorations and service that we provide so that more people can enjoy, respect and honour our veterans going forward,” he said.

In the premier’s department’s online survey, 509 Victorians were presented with the statement: “The period between 1790 and 1930 where Aboriginal Australians defended their lands, kinships and customs from European invasion/settlement should be reflected in the Anzac Day ceremony.”

They were then asked if they agreed or disagreed with the statement. 31 per cent of respondents strongly agreed that ANZAC DAY should commemorate frontier conflicts, while 19 per cent disagreed and 51 per cent sat on the fence.

Foreign minister Julie Bishop told reporters at Victoria’s Avalon Airport that Premier Daniel Andrews was turning Anzac Day into a political football.

“It is a sacred day and Daniel Andrews should not try and involve it in some confected ideological war,” she said.

Opposition frontbencher Tim Smith told The Herald Sun the report was an attempt to politicise the nation’s most sacred day in the same style as Australia Day.

“Daniel Andrews is tearing down the institutions and values of our society and showing no respect to the thousands who gave their lives for what we currently have,” he said.