Former SAS soldier Ben Roberts-Smith at the Anzac Day dawn service at Currumbin beach on the Gold Coast. Photograph: Russell Freeman/AAPView image in fullscreenFormer SAS soldier Ben Roberts-Smith at the Anzac Day dawn service at Currumbin beach on the Gold Coast. Photograph: Russell Freeman/AAPIndigenous speakers booed at Anzac Day services as Ben Roberts-Smith attends Gold Coast eventRoberts-Smith, who has denied five charges of war crime murder, says he was always going to attend: ‘I never thought about not coming’
Booing has marred Anzac Day commemorations in Melbourne and Sydney, while on the Gold Coast, the Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith attended the dawn service at Currumbin Beach.
One man was arrested at the Sydney dawn service at Martin Place, where there was a small but noisy interjection of booing during the Indigenous acknowledgement of country.
After the disturbance was quietened, a chorus of applause and cheering rang out for an extended period to show support for Uncle Ray Minniecon.
Minniecon told the ABC that those interjecting needed to understand “this always was and always will be Aboriginal land”.
Read more“We have experienced this type of racism for over 230-odd years,” he said. “It really is a whitefulla problem, not a blackfulla problem.”
A 24-year-old man was arrested for “an alleged act of nuisance”, New South Wales police subsequently confirmed.
A similar booing disruption was drowned out in Melbourne, where Bunurong and Gunditjmara man Uncle Mark Brown delivered his welcome to country.
The Victorian premier described the interruption as “bastardry”.
“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,” Jacinta Allan said in a statement.
“Politicising this sacred day is bastardy. I condemn it and so should every leader.”
The acting chief of army, Mag Gen Richard Vagg, said the heckling was “disgraceful behaviour”.
The deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, said the booing was disgraceful and “deeply disappointing”.
“Acknowledgements of country are just an act of respect – and what characterises today is, it is a day of respect,” Marles told ABC TV.
There were also acts of booing at Anzac services last year.
Saturday marked the 111th anniversary of Australian and New Zealand forces landing on the Turkish coast at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915.
More than 8,000 Australian soldiers died during the unsuccessful campaign, which failed to wrest control of the Dardanelles.
Roberts-Smith, one of Australia’s most decorated soldiers, was charged this month with five counts of the war crime of murder. Each charge carries a potential life sentence in prison.
He is accused of killing unarmed, handcuffed civilians during his service in the Australian SAS in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.
Court documents allege the victims were in the custody of Australian soldiers and posed no risk to safety, in situations where there was no active engagement in conflict.
Roberts-Smith is alleged to have killed some civilians himself and ordered subordinates to execute others.
He has vehemently denied the charges, stating: “I categorically deny all of these allegations.”
Roberts-Smith on Saturday told reporters: “I never thought about not coming. I was always going to be here.”
- Additional reporting by Australian Associated Press
