Premier Roger Cook has condemned a small group of hecklers who booed Indigenous veteran Di Ryder while she was giving the acknowledgement of country address at the Kings Park Anzac Day dawn service.
“For anyone to disrespect one of our elders and a veteran themselves is just disgusting and disrespectful,” Mr Cook said immediately afterwards.
Mr Cook later said that it appeared the stunt was part of a coordinated effort around the country to target services.
Services in Sydney and Melbourne were similarly disrupted. There was also heckling at Busselton, albeit from just one person.
“The behaviour, which was seen at services across the country, was clearly a coordinated effort to divide our community.
“It disrespects what our veterans fought for - a free, democratic and inclusive Australia, where everyone who lives here can be safe from discrimination and vilification.
“And the response was perfectly Western Australian - a loud round of applause in support of Di.”
WA Police said 15 move on orders were issued in relation to Dawn Service disruptions “as part of preventative and responsive policing actions.”
“All identified incidents were managed swiftly and proportionately,” a spokesperson said.
One of the orders was issued in regional WA.
Mr Cook commended WA RSL chief executive Stephen Barton for “calling that disgraceful act out” immediately after it happened.
RSLWA State President Duncan Anderson shared the Premier’s frustration, labeling those responsible “cretins” who had turned their backs on the spirit of the day.
“Anzac Day, particularly the dawn service, is a politics free-zone,” Mr Anderson said.
“Di Ryder is a proud veteran, and not only did they disrespect her heritage, they disrespected the fact that she’s a veteran.”
Other Anzac Day services around the country were also targeted by hecklers, suggesting there may have been a coordinated campaign.
National RSL President Peter Tinley said the organisation was “appalled”.
“The RSL is 110 years old and this is a blight on all veterans,” he said.
“There are 364 other days you can protest on.
“Ironically we fought for the right to have the freedom of speech, and that is a mutual contract to act within the character of what it is to be an ANZAC.”
Mr Tinley said there had been many First Nations’ people who had also served in wars, fighting for the freedoms Australians currently enjoyed.
“Anzac Day is for Australians to commemorate all those who have served and sacrificed in defence of our nation, and many First Nations’ peoples also served and continue to serve,” he said.
“It is the most sacred day on our national calendar, a time for quiet reflection, unity and respect in honour the service and sacrifice of all who have served in our Defence Forces.
“While the overwhelming majority of those who attend Anzac Day services do so with great dignity and respect, a very small number of ill-informed people choose to exhibit loutish and disruptive behaviour.
“The Acknowledgement or Welcome to Country is a key part of Anzac Day commemorations and recognises Australia’s history as well as the First Nations’ people who have served.
“While disruptions are drowned out by the positive response of the vast majority of attendees, this loutish behaviour is strongly condemned.
“While the RSL has encouraged all Australians to commemorate Anzac Day, those who show disrespect do not belong at our nation’s solemn ceremonies.”
Mr Tinley said people who criticised acknowledgement of country ceremonies were out of touch with modern Australia.
“We are all Australians,” he said.
“And we have made great strides in reconciliation and inclusion and these sorts of behaviours do not align with contemporary generations of Australians.”
WA Opposition leader Basil Zempilas said Anzac Day was “a day for respect, not division.”
“What we saw and heard at the Dawn Service at Kings Park this morning goes totally against what this sacred Australian day is about,” he said.
“Di Ryder OAM served her country from 1974-1995.
“Di - and her role in today’s service deserved respect.
“That she didn’t get it is shameful.
“I told Di I was sorry for what she had to endure and that she did not deserve it. She thanked me and said she’ll be back again next year.
“What a wonderful example she sets for us all.”
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Patrick Gorman described Ms Ryder as an “outstanding Australian”.
“I fully back RSL WA in how they handled this incident,” Mr Gorman said.
“Dianne Ryder OAM is a decorated veteran and an outstanding Australian.
“And I am so pleased that she has already confirmed she will be back to do the acknowledgment of country at the 2027 ANZAC Day service.
“Australians come together on ANZAC Day, unified in our shared national values.
“There is absolutely no place for this disgraceful behaviour on our most solemn of national days.”
The Premier added the boos and heckling were at odds with what everything Anzac Day was about.
“It is a day which deserves reverence and solemnity,” he said.
“This is an important time for everyone to come together in an act of peace, respect and tolerance.”
“Anzac Day is a day that we come together with a sense of strength, unity and resilience to honour sacrifice,” he added.
“We owe it not just to those who have served, but all Australians to keep it focused on that goal.”
What happened at Kings Park on Saturday were scenes also witnessed around the nation with boos heard at the Martin Place dawn service in Sydney.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles condemned the behaviour.
“It’s disgraceful, and it’s deeply disappointing,” he said. “Acknowledgements of country are just an act of respect.
“And what characterises today is that it is a day of respect, and to boo in that way goes completely against that, and it is deeply disgraceful.
“But also, you know, we should be acknowledging as well the contribution that Indigenous Australians have made to the ADF and Australia’s military history.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns said he was “disappointed” by the actions from a small number of people who loudly booed during the acknowledgement of country in Sydney.
“I’m disappointed by what we saw from a small number of people,” Mr Minns said.
“Whist I’ve never before heard booing like that at a dawn service, I’ve also never heard a crowd spontaneously applaud as they did for Uncle Ray Minniecon (who delivered the acknowledgement).”
Mr Minniecon, a military veteran, responded after the ceremony.
“We have experienced this type of racism for over 230 odd years,” he said.
“The questions we have is what crime did we commit to attract this kind of racism?”
In Melbourne boos have marred the acknowledgement of country at the Shrine of Remembrance.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan called the protracted and loud booing as “bastardry” and a “betrayal of everything Anzac Day stands for”.
“To break the stillness of dawn service is not just ugly behaviour towards our Aboriginal servicemen and women who defended this country — it disrespects everyone who fought and died for our freedoms,” Ms Allan said.
“Politicising this sacred day is bastardry. I condemn it, and so should every leader.”
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