Protests disrupt Anzac Day commemorations across Australia and New Zealand

On April 25, 2025, hundreds of thousands of people across Australia and New Zealand gathered for dawn services and street marches to honor their war dead on Anzac Day. This date marks the anniversary of the landing of the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli in 1915 during World War I, an event that is significant in both countries' military history. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon commemorated the landing at Gallipoli, noting the considerable contribution of 16,000 New Zealand soldiers at that time, a disproportionately large number for a population of around one million. During this memorial, Luxon emphasized pride in their soldiers' service without glorifying the war itself. Meanwhile, in Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the dawn service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Although the day is generally marked with respect, at least two services were disrupted by protests. At Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance, a gathering intended for remembering dead soldiers encountered hecklers who targeted Indigenous representation. This disruption included booing and jeering, particularly in response to the Welcome to Country ceremony that honors Indigenous Australians' traditional lands. Such actions were strongly condemned, with Veteran Affairs Minister Matt Keogh stating that the behavior was disrespectful and ideologically conflicting with the day’s objective of remembrance. Authorities reported that a 26-year-old man was removed from the service after being under investigation for his offensive actions. Furthermore, similar interruptions occurred at the main dawn service in Perth, drawing condemnation from local leadership who asserted that this was a solemn occasion meant for unity and community gathering, not political statements.