An anti-immigration group has denied organizing the booing of Indigenous leaders during welcome to country ceremonies at Anzac Day dawn services, despite a social media post that asked followers, “how loud will you be this year?” The booing, which occurred for the second consecutive year, has reignited public debate about the role of such ceremonies at national events.
Booing at Dawn Services
Rightwing groups targeted Indigenous elders giving welcome to country speeches at Anzac Day ceremonies across Australia. Uncle Ray Minniecon, a former serviceman who was booed while delivering an acknowledgment of country at Sydney’s dawn service, described the reaction as “unexpected and unnecessary.” He expressed bewilderment at the hostility, saying, “Why do people hate us so much? What crime did we commit?”
Fight for Australia’s Role
The group Fight for Australia, described as a “sister group” of the anti-immigration March for Australia, had encouraged supporters to contact local RSL branches to request the exclusion of welcome to country ceremonies. On Friday, the group posted a video of Melbourne’s Anzac Day ceremony where Bunurong elder Uncle Mark Brown was booed, with the caption “Will you be booing the welcome to country this year?” and the superimposed text “how loud will you be this year?”
March for Australia has 36,000 followers on Facebook, while Fight for Australia, launched recently, has 350 followers. The organizer, who goes by the moniker “Bec Freedom,” claimed her group did not organize the booing but stood by the content she posted. She argued that people booed to express dissatisfaction with “woke rituals” on a solemn day.
Political Reactions
Opposition leader Angus Taylor condemned the booing as “un-Australian” but suggested that welcome to country ceremonies are “overused” and should be less frequent. His comments echoed those of former Liberal leader Peter Dutton, who also criticized the booing but deemed the ceremonies “overdone.” Greens leader Larissa Waters called the booing “utterly disgraceful,” noting the service of Indigenous Australians in the defense force. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles described the booing as “disgraceful,” emphasizing that welcome to country is a respectful gesture, especially on Anzac Day.
Police Intervention
In Perth, police removed 15 individuals associated with March for Australia from the dawn service, citing concerns they might disrupt the ceremony. No arrests were made. Video footage showed police telling the group they were being removed due to their association with the group’s actions in eastern states.
Broader Context
Uncle Ray Minniecon noted increased hostility toward Indigenous Australians since the 2023 Voice referendum, which was defeated. He called for acknowledgment and respect for Indigenous land, stating, “It’s not that difficult to understand.” The ongoing controversy highlights deep divisions over the place of Indigenous recognition in Australian public life.
