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A known neo-Nazi has been condemned for marring the Melbourne ANZAC ceremony with boos during the Welcome to Country.
Bunurong Elder Mark Brown delivered the Welcome before a huge crowd which had gathered at the city’s Shrine of Remembrance.
“Today, on the sacred lands of the Bunurong people, we all gather in the spirit of respect and unity,” Uncle Mark said in his Welcome.
“This welcome is an opportunity to honour and respect the deep cultural heritage of the Bunurong people of the Kulin nations, whose Elders and community members have generously looked after these lands for genarations.”
Amongst an otherwise hushed and solemn gathering, the jarring sound of boos and heckles suddenly stood out.
The crowd quickly worked to drown it out by cheering and applauding Mr Brown’s Welcome, but the heckles were maintained for several minutes.
The final part of Uncle Mark’s address seemed to indirectly acknowledge the disturbance.
“For all those who do want to be here, you are welcome. We come with purpose.
“Welcome to Bunurong Country.”
Heckles condemned
The Veterans’ Affairs Minister, Matt Keogh, told ABC radio that the man was a “known neo-Nazi”.
“ANZAC Day commemorations are supposed to be a time of solemn respect and commemoration, and what we saw occur there is frankly disgraceful,” he said.
The state premier, Jacinta Allan, said it was “beyond disappointing”.
“[It] runs counter to why we gather at the Shrine at dawn [with] hundreds of thousands people across the country simultaneously,” she told ABC radio.
RSL Victoria also condemned the actions.
Victoria Police said they expected to charge a 26-year-old man from Kensington with offensive behaviour.
“Police are aware of a small group of people disrupting the dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance this morning,” they said in a statement.
“The male has been directed to leave the Shrine of Remembrance.”
