In a disturbing turn of events at the Melbourne Anzac Day dawn service on April 25, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles condemned the "terrible" booing by a small group of agitators. The incident unfolded as Indigenous elder Uncle Mark Brown delivered the Welcome to Country acknowledgment at the Shrine of Remembrance, a moment intended to honor the traditional custodians of the land.
Marles expressed his outrage during an interview on the morning news show, Today, stating, "Look, what we saw was obviously terrible. And it is deplorable. But in a sense, I don't want to give that any more air time than it deserves, because this is a day to acknowledge those who have worn our nation's uniform." He emphasized that while the actions of the booing crowd were unacceptable, they represented only a small fraction of the thousands in attendance.
The protests were led by Jacob Hersant, a known neo-Nazi and the first person in Victoria convicted of performing an illegal Nazi salute. As the ceremony progressed, booing erupted again when the Governor of Victoria, Margaret Gardner, attempted to deliver her Welcome to Country address. Hersant and his group attempted to disrupt the solemn occasion, claiming to protest against the Welcome to Country ceremonies, which they argued should not overshadow the commemoration of Australian war veterans.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also condemned the actions of the protestors, stating, "Our Diggers fought against the Nazis and (that) this movement of neo-Nazis has any presence in our country at all is just an outrage and a disgrace." He praised the swift intervention by police, suggesting that individuals who adhere to Nazi ideology must be mentally unstable. "And you read the history of the Nazi regime and Hitler's evil and those around him, and that it could be glorified by Australians here shows that these people are mentally unwell, and it should be condemned," Dutton added.
The booing and protests drew sharp criticism from various officials, including Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who called the behavior "beyond disappointing" and contrary to the spirit of Anzac Day. She remarked, "They gather to never forget what war is like and why it is so important so we can gather peacefully today because of that sacrifice." In her statement, Allan highlighted the importance of honoring those who have served and sacrificed for the nation, stating that the booing dishonored the values of courage, loyalty, mateship, and sacrifice that Anzac Day embodies.
Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh described the booing as "frankly disgraceful," emphasizing that it was led by a known neo-Nazi. He stated on ABC Radio National, "And frankly, when we come together to commemorate on Anzac Day, we’re commemorating some of those soldiers who fell in a war that was fought against that sort of hateful ideology, and so it was completely disrespectful, and is not something that’s welcome at Anzac Day commemorations ever."
The police were quick to respond to the situation, interviewing a 26-year-old man from Kensington in relation to the offensive behavior. Victoria Police confirmed that the individual had been directed to leave the Shrine of Remembrance and would face charges. In a statement, police said, "The male has been directed to leave the Shrine of Remembrance."
As the ceremony continued, the crowd's applause often drowned out the heckling, demonstrating a collective respect for the occasion. RSL Victoria President Robert Webster remarked, "The actions of that very small minority were completely disrespectful to veterans and the spirit of ANZAC Day. In response to that, the applause of everybody else attending drowned it out and showed the respect befitting of the occasion."
On this 110th anniversary of the Anzac landing at Gallipoli, the dawn service in Melbourne was attended by thousands who came to honor the sacrifices of those who served. The Last Post rang out, and a moment of silence was observed for those who have lost their lives in war. Speakers at the event took time to thank the families of fallen soldiers and acknowledge the ongoing sacrifices made by military personnel.
Despite the disruptions, the spirit of Anzac Day prevailed, with the majority of attendees focused on the solemnity of the occasion. The actions of the protestors, while loud, were overshadowed by the collective commitment to honor the past and reflect on the values that define the nation. As the day unfolded, it served as a poignant reminder of the importance of unity and respect, especially on a day dedicated to remembering those who fought for Australia.
This incident has sparked discussions about the rising presence of far-right ideologies in Australia, as groups like the one led by Hersant continue to disrupt public events. Their actions raise concerns about the need for ongoing vigilance against hate speech and extremist behavior in the community.
In the wake of the protests, many Australians are calling for a renewed commitment to the values that Anzac Day represents, ensuring that such acts of disrespect do not tarnish the memory of those who served. The overwhelming response from the public has been one of solidarity, reinforcing the notion that while a small group may seek to disrupt, the spirit of remembrance and respect will always prevail.
