Opposition Leader Angus Taylor Claims Welcome to Country Ceremonies Are “Overused” After Anzac Day Booing
Angus Taylor ignited fresh controversy by calling Welcome to Country ceremonies “overused” just days after Aboriginal Elders were booed at multiple Anzac Day services across Australia. Taylor’s remarks come amid a surge of public outrage following the disruption of solemn Indigenous acknowledgments during the nation’s key day of remembrance.
Speaking on ABC Insiders on Sunday, Taylor condemned the boos but said he could “understand the frustration Australians feel about over-use” of the ceremonies.
“I feel that at times — often, actually. I think it is overused and as a result they are devalued,” Taylor said. “I would like to see them used less and therefore not devalued, as I think they have been over time.”
The former Liberal Minister’s comments echo those of ex-Opposition leader Peter Dutton, who last year argued Welcome to Country ceremonies were “dividing the country,” comparing them to the contentious Voice referendum. Taylor added it should be at the discretion of event organizers whether to include such ceremonies, emphasizing the need to make them “more special when it happens.”
Booing of Aboriginal Elders Sparks National Condemnation
The remarks come in the immediate aftermath of highly charged incidents at Anzac Day services across Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth. Bunurong Elder Mark Brown was booed during his Welcome to Country at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance. In Sydney, the Acknowledgment of Country by Ray Minniecon was interrupted by hecklers. In Boorloo/Perth, Whadjuk Noongar Elder and veteran Di Ryder was also jeered during her speech.
Stephen Barton, chief executive of the Returned and Services League (RSL) in Western Australia, called the booing “one of the most disgraceful things I have ever heard” and expressed heartfelt thanks to Aunty Di for her address.
Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the disruptions as “ugly behavior” that disrespected Indigenous veterans and all who fought for Australia’s freedoms. “Politicising this sacred day is bastardry. I condemn it and so should every leader,” Allan said.
Far-Right Groups Fuel Opposition to Indigenous Ceremonies
Investigations revealed that anti-immigration group Fight for Australia urged supporters on social media to attend and protest Welcome to Country ceremonies. Some involved in the booing at Melbourne were reportedly former members or associates of the now-disbanded National Socialist Network, according to reports by The Age.
Calls for Action and Respect for Aboriginal Veterans
Indigenous academic Marcia Langton condemned those who disrupted the ceremonies in a powerful essay for The Guardian Australia, calling for bans on those involved in heckling to future events. She reminded readers that over 118 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men served in the Australian Light Horse in World War I. “They deserve more than contempt and a few words of rancour,” Langton wrote.
This controversy amplifies ongoing national debates about the place and significance of Indigenous ceremonies in public life. While Taylor’s position reflects a divisive view within political circles, many Australians and leaders urge unity and respect, especially on days meant to honor sacrifice and service.
The issue now looms over future commemorations and official events across Australia, signaling deeper cultural and political divides. Observers will watch closely how political leaders and the public respond as preparations for coming remembrance ceremonies accelerate.
