In Melbourne and Perth, anti-Indigenous rights protesters interrupted Anzac Day dawn services on Friday, a move that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese strongly denounced. Speaking to reporters, Albanese characterized the disruptions as contemptible, emphasizing that those responsible should be subject to legal consequences. He described the actions as cowardly, especially on a day dedicated to honoring bravery and sacrifice.
These protests took place against the backdrop of the forthcoming general elections on May 3, where Indigenous rights are a significant campaign topic. Anzac Day marks the commemoration of April 25, 1915, when Australian and New Zealand forces first engaged in combat during World War I on the beaches of Gallipoli, Turkey. The day, which is regarded as a deeply unifying national holiday in Australia, is typically free from political protests.
In Melbourne, notable disruptions occurred during the dawn service attended by 50,000 people at the Shrine of Remembrance. Self-identified nazi Jacob Hersant and other hecklers jeered and booed during the service. In Perth, a lone protester briefly interrupted the service at Kings Park, where 25,000 attendees eventually quieted him down. The man departed shortly after the incident.
The protests were ignited by the Welcome to Country ceremony, an acknowledgment by Indigenous leaders at the beginning of many public events to welcome guests to their ancestral lands. The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, an advocacy group for Indigenous Australians, issued a statement condemning the racist disruptions during this ceremony in Melbourne.
Prime Minister Albanese labeled the protests in both cities as disgraceful, asserting that such acts have no place in Australia. In Melbourne, interruptions continued whenever speakers mentioned Indigenous soldiers or acknowledged Australia’s traditional custodians. The protesters shouted slogans such as “this is our country” and “we don’t have to be welcomed,” borrowing phrases from the Trumpet of Patriots party, which is financially backed by mining magnate Clive Palmer and draws inspiration from former U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies. The hecklers were ultimately drowned out by the audience’s applause in support of the speakers.
Despite criticism from the conservative Liberal Party regarding the frequency and cost of Welcome to Country ceremonies, opposition leader Peter Dutton defended the ceremony’s significance on Anzac Day. He emphasized its importance and urged respect, highlighting Australia’s proud Indigenous heritage.
During the Melbourne service, police escorted Hersant from the scene. Known for his leadership in the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network, Hersant made headlines last year as the first individual in Australia to face jail time for performing an outlawed Nazi salute. He remains free on bail pending appeal. Before being removed, Hersant criticized Indigenous leaders, accusing them of repeated humiliation. Hersant’s legal representative declined to comment when approached on Friday.
Victoria Police acknowledged that a 26-year-old man from Melbourne was asked to depart the service and confirmed he would be summoned to court following an investigation into offensive behavior. Video footage also captured another protester with a white supremacist slogan being forcibly removed by a member of the public. Meanwhile, authorities in Western Australia are continuing their investigation into the disruptions at the Perth service. Both police forces emphasized their intolerance for disorderly conduct during solemn commemorative events like Anzac Day.