Debate has intensified around the role of ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremonies at Anzac Day events in Australia, following calls for disruption and reports of crowd backlash at a Melbourne service.
Nationalist activist Jacob Hersant urged Australians to boo the ceremonial acknowledgements during dawn services, claiming they had “politicised a national day” and shifted focus away from remembrance. His comments drew criticism from officials ahead of Anzac Day commemorations.
In response Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan warned that anyone intending to disrupt services should “stay home”.
At the ANZAC Memorial in Melbourne, reports indicated that boos were heard during a “Welcome to Country” segment.
Nationalist activist Jacob Hersant has urged patriotic Australians to boo any “welcome to country” ceremonies performed at Anzac Day dawn services.
“They have politicised a national day and made it about antiwhite aboriginal grievance politics”https://t.co/gxgu7LUCiq
— The Noticer (@NoticerNews) April 23, 2026
News: Boos greet “Welcome to Country” at ANZAC Memorial in Melbourne pic.twitter.com/UUk6XgQm2W
— Drew Pavlou 🇦🇺🇺🇸🇺🇦🇹🇼 (@DrewPavlou) April 24, 2026
Fed-up Aussies boo loudly during a "welcome to country" at the Anzac Day Dawn Service in Sydney.
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— The Noticer (@NoticerNews) April 24, 2026
