Anzac Day 2024: Booing Controversy, Indigenous Speakers Targeted, and National Reflections on War and Unity

Australia news live: Angus Taylor says booing on Anzac Day ‘shouldn’t happen’ but welcome to country ‘overused’; Victoria announces 20% car rego rebate Opposition leader Angus Taylor has condemned booing during Anzac Day ceremonies as “absolutely inappropriate and un-Australian,” stating it “shouldn’t happen” and “simply shouldn’t happen.” His remarks came amid reports of disruptive behavior during Welcome to Country addresses at dawn services across Australia. Taylor also criticized the frequent use of Welcome to Country ceremonies, arguing they have been “devalued” by “overuse” and should be delivered less often. He acknowledged public frustration with the practice but maintained that booing Indigenous speakers during national commemorations is unacceptable. The comments follow incidents at Melbourne’s Anzac Day dawn service, where the Welcome to Country by Bunurong man Uncle Mark Brown was met with heckling, and booing. Political leaders across the spectrum have condemned such behavior, emphasizing the importance of respect during ceremonies honoring Australia’s war dead. In related news, the Victoria government announced a one-off 20% car registration rebate to help ease cost-of-living pressures for motorists. The rebate applies to eligible vehicles and is part of broader measures aimed at addressing household financial strain. Taylor also addressed the Coalition’s preference arrangements in the Farrer byelection, confirming that both Liberal and National parties have directed preferences to One Nation ahead of independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe. He stated the move aims to prevent “teal policies” from gaining influence in regional electorates, arguing that such policies, along with Labor policies, pose an “existential” threat to regional communities. The opposition leader maintained that preferencing One Nation is a strategic decision based on selecting the “least worst option” when Liberal or National preferences are exhausted, reiterating the Coalition’s preference for voters to support its own candidates first.