Full Breakdown
Booing at Anzac Day Dawn Services Sparks Nationwide Outcry
4/26/2026, 1:23:16 AM
The Disruption: Booing at Welcome to Country Ceremonies
At the 25 April 2026 Anzac Day dawn services in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, groups shouted and booed the Welcome to Country or Acknowledgement of Country delivered by elders Uncle Ray Minniecon, Uncle Mark Brown and Aunty Di Ryder. Applause followed the Sydney interruption.
Background & Context
The incidents followed the 2023 Voice to Parliament referendum, which was linked to a rise in racist rhetoric. Anti-immigration group Fight for Australia, formerly March for Australia, posted videos of prior booing and urged supporters to oppose Welcome to Country ceremonies.
Key Figures & Groups
Indigenous elders: Uncle Ray Minniecon, Uncle Mark Brown, Aunty Di Ryder. Uncle Jack Pearson. Government: Defence Minister Richard Marles, Maj-Gen Richard Vagg, Premiers Jacinta Allan and Chris Minns. RSL leaders Stephen Barton, Peter Tinley; AFL strategist Tanya Hosch; anti-immigration group Fight for Australia.
Data & Statistics
24-year-old man arrested in Sydney and charged with nuisance. Ten (some reports fourteen) move-on notices were issued in Perth. Melbourne’s service attracted over 50 000 attendees. RSL has 1 000+ sub-branches.
Official Statements & Responses
Defence Minister Richard Marles called the booing “disgraceful”. RSL WA chief Stephen Barton said it was “one of the most disgraceful things I have ever heard”. Minister Yasmin Catley said police cannot prevent every incident but urged public condemnation.
Criticism & Opposition
Professor Marcia Langton called the booing a moral crime and urged bans. Uncle Jack Pearson warned that racism harms society and stressed the need for respect.
On-the-Ground Reports
Uncle Ray Minniecon said he remained composed, noting that laws exist but some people act lawlessly. Applause after Sydney service indicated support. In Perth, Governor Chris Dawson invited Aunty Di Ryder to lay a wreath alongside him.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Police reports differ on the number of move-on notices in Perth (ten versus fourteen). No identities of the booers have been released.
Verbatim Quotes
- “racism is a cancer” — Uncle Jack Pearson, Australian Army captain
- “The morons who tried to snatch the sacred moment away … deserve more than contempt and a few words of rancour,” — Marcia Langton, Laureate Professor, University of Melbourne
- “lacks respect and misses what the day is all about” — Major General Richard Vagg, Acting Chief of Army
- “If it gets any worse, potentially [hecklers] may have to be removed and we will stop ceremonies if we have to.” — Peter Tinley, President, RSL Australia
- “I think that the failure of the referendum definitely sent some messages to people … that I think have created an environment where people feel a greater degree of freedom to voice their views around racist ideology,” — Tanya Hosch, AFL Indigenous Strategy Lead
- “It was water off a duck's back.” — Uncle Ray Minniecon, ADF veteran
What’s Next
RSL Australia will consult the federal government on stricter enforcement and seek AFL advice on anti-racism protocols. Police say they will increase monitoring at future dawn services.
