Taylor calls Welcome to Country ‘overused’
Liberal leader Angus Taylor has condemned booing of Welcome to Country at Anzac Day ceremonies in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, while arguing the practice is frequently overused.
Several incidents were reported across the country during Anzac Day commemorations. In Sydney, Indigenous serviceman Uncle Ray Minniecon was booed during the Martin Place service. His grandfather served in the Light Horse Brigade.
Key Points
- Booing interrupted Welcome to Country at Anzac ceremonies in three cities
- Angus Taylor condemned the behaviour as inappropriate and “un-Australian”
- Taylor argued Welcome to Country is often “overused” and should be rarer
- Elders Minniecon, Brown and Ryder faced heckling in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth
- RSL Victoria backed Welcome to Country at ANZAC ceremonies and veterans’ respect
- Acting chief of army said the behaviour would upset serving personnel
- Deputy PM Richard Marles labelled the booing “deeply disgraceful”
In Melbourne, Uncle Mark Brown’s Welcome to Country at the Shrine of Remembrance was interrupted by loud hecklers. In Perth, Whadjuk Noongar elder and veteran Di Ryder was disturbed by booing from the crowd while delivering her Welcome to Country at the Dawn service.
In Sydney, Indigenous serviceman Uncle Ray Minniecon was booed.
Mr Taylor condemned the behaviour as “un-Australian” during an appearance on ABC Insiders on Sunday morning. He said booing at solemn commemorations was unacceptable and stressed that such conduct had no place at Anzac Day services.
“It simply shouldn’t happen.”
— Angus Taylor
At the same time, Mr Taylor said he understood that some Australians were concerned about the frequency of Welcome to Country. He said he felt Welcomes were often overused and, as a result, devalued. He argued that using them less could restore their significance.
Mr Taylor added that it was up to individual organisations to decide whether to include a Welcome to Country at their events. He reiterated a general preference for reducing their frequency to preserve their special character.
Veterans’ groups and government figures respond
RSL Victoria president Mark Schroffel expressed support for Welcome to Country at ANZAC ceremonies to acknowledge First Nations traditions and service to the country. He said the disrupters left before the end of the service, describing their actions as showing complete disrespect to veterans. According to Mr Schroffel, the hecklers were outnumbered by attendees who applauded and supported the proceedings.
The acting chief of army, Major General Richard Vagg, said on Saturday that the behaviour would upset serving and former members of the Australian military. Speaking to ABC News Breakfast, he said the heckling undermined the spirit of the day.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles called the acts “deeply disgraceful”. He said acknowledgments to country were an act of respect, and that Anzac Day is characterised by respect. Mr Marles told the ABC that booing in that manner went against the day’s purpose.
Origins of Welcome to Country
The contemporary Welcome to Country ceremony was originated in 1976 by Yamatji man and TV presenter Ernie Dingo and Noongar Yamatji musician Richard Walley. The tradition, however, has existed in Indigenous Australian culture for millennia.
Indigenous service in Australia’s military
More than 1000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people served in the World War I, and more than 4000 in the World War II. After returning home, many Indigenous soldiers and military personnel were not recognised for their service and were denied access to veteran services.
Indigenous Australians were first recorded serving in the nation’s military in the late 1800s, around the time of the Boer War. The article notes this history to emphasise the long-standing contribution of First Nations people to Australia’s defence forces, even as recognition and access to services were often withheld upon their return.
