The WA Greens’ decision to host a dance party on Anzac Day has been labelled “completely inappropriate” by the country’s political leaders, with the Returned and Services League “lost for words”.
The ‘Greens Party Party’ was promoted as a ticketed fundraiser to help bolster the Green’s fundraising efforts to campaign for candidates Sophie Greer, running for the seat of Perth, and Senator Jordan Steele-John.
The Greens WA have been criticised by the nation’s leaders for hosting a dance party on Anzac Day to raise funds for their election campaign.
The five-hour DJed event was to be held at Old Habits in West Perth with tickets ranging from $30 to $1000 plus an “optional donation”.
“The federal election is right around the corner. Join us for a night when the dance floor becomes the platform for radical change,” the invitation read.
“This election, let’s make history by electing [Sophie Greer] to the Federal seat of Perth and re-electing [Jordan Steele-John] to the senate.
“Your moves matter – on the floor and at the polls.”
RSL WA state president Duncan Anderson told Radio 6PR he was lost for words.
“We’re really blessed right across Australia to see how well the community embraces Anzac Day and how for one day a year we’re able to rise above politics, and rise above people and individuals and just sit back and reflect and consider how lucky we are to live in this country,” he said.
“It’s actually not by luck we’re able to live here and enjoy the freedoms, including freedom of speech; it’s through the service and sacrifices of generations of young men and women.
“We think it’s entirely inappropriate that politics is being conflated with Anzac Day, it’s not acceptable.”
Duncan said the RSL raises funds on Anzac Day, which go to veterans.
Political parties and politicians typically pause campaigning on Anzac Day.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also said the dance party was “completely inappropriate”.
“I just say to every young Australian who’s proud of their grandfather who fought in the war, proud of a cousin who’s serving in the Australian Defence Force, understand that the Greens have complete contempt for our Defence Force personnel,” he said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Anzac Day should be a day for reflection.
“Anzac Day is a day of respect for the men and women who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice. I think it’s not a day for normal business as usual,” he said.
“I know that Australians, in their millions, will pause on that day to say those three sacred words: Lest we forget.”
Since the publication of this article, the event has been removed from the party’s social media pages.
In a statement issued shortly afterwards, Greens Convenors Chilla Bulbeck and Giz Watson said the event would be rescheduled.
“ Sophie Greer will attend an Anzac Day service on that day, as she was always intending to do,” the statement read.
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