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The Advertiser
2 days ago
- General
- The Advertiser
Lessons 'not learnt' 80 years on from World War II
Memories of those who have served and those who fell before the end of the Second World War have been carried forward, 80 years on. Services across the nation marked the Victory in the Pacific anniversary on Friday, with commemorations held at the Sydney Cenotaph, the National War Memorial in Canberra, the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, the State War Memorial in Perth and the National War Memorial in Adelaide. Braving frosty conditions, Maureen Bell, from Brighton in Melbourne's southeast, commemorated her father Bert Jones' memory, proudly wearing his war medals at the Shrine. She remembered her dad as one of many who never talked seriously about the war, instead telling funny stories of his service to ease the memory of terrible times. "He said he was called Screamer because they would play AFL football in New Guinea and he'd jump up and take a mark and everybody would say that was a screamer of a mark," she reminisced. "But I found out decades later that dad was called Screamer because he was really loud." Ms Bell said she was proud of her dad's legacy, but lamented the human race hasn't learnt from past mistakes. "It's important to honour those that have gone before us and made incredible sacrifices, endured horrendous torture and sadness, but we don't seem to learn from it," she told AAP. "We keep doing it unfortunately." Phil Ward attended the Sydney service to honour his father's legacy in the 2/20th battalion in Singapore, having survived internment and the Burma railway. The commemorations represented the "enduring gratitude" to those who defend our freedoms, Mr Ward said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese marked VP Day, when Japan accepted the Allied forces' terms of surrender sparking the end of World War II, by paying tribute to soldiers' courage and the stories of endless longing for the home many never saw again. Almost one million Australians served in uniform during the war, but 40,000 never got to see its conclusion. About 66,000 were wounded, while many thousands more became prisoners of war, with 8000 dying in captivity. "Every life and dream and future swallowed in that vortex of madness and cruelty, from every battlefield and every burning city, from the prisoner of war camps to the unprecedented horror of the concentration camps," Mr Albanese said. "These were nightmares made real - not by monsters but by human beings in a grotesque perversion of humanity." Despite the jubilation that came from the victory, there was also sorrow for those who perished. RSL Victoria President Mark Schroffel said there were countless unsung heroes who never returned home to tell their stories or had the chance to have a family. "That's particularly sad for them, and hopefully what we're doing today will help preserve their memory," he said. "The sacrifice and the loss was a terrible time for the world and we need to remember that even though a victory was declared, nobody really wins." Australia played a significant role in the Pacific during World War II, fighting against Japan from 1941 to 1945. Initially, Australian forces engaged in campaigns in Malaya and Singapore. After the bombing of Darwin in February 1942, the focus shifted to defending the Australian mainland and supporting the US-led counteroffensive in the Pacific. Federal Veterans' Affairs Minister Matt Keogh said the day marked the end of a great darkness - brought on by the most devastating global conflict in human history. Lifeline 13 11 14 Open Arms 1800 011 046 Memories of those who have served and those who fell before the end of the Second World War have been carried forward, 80 years on. Services across the nation marked the Victory in the Pacific anniversary on Friday, with commemorations held at the Sydney Cenotaph, the National War Memorial in Canberra, the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, the State War Memorial in Perth and the National War Memorial in Adelaide. Braving frosty conditions, Maureen Bell, from Brighton in Melbourne's southeast, commemorated her father Bert Jones' memory, proudly wearing his war medals at the Shrine. She remembered her dad as one of many who never talked seriously about the war, instead telling funny stories of his service to ease the memory of terrible times. "He said he was called Screamer because they would play AFL football in New Guinea and he'd jump up and take a mark and everybody would say that was a screamer of a mark," she reminisced. "But I found out decades later that dad was called Screamer because he was really loud." Ms Bell said she was proud of her dad's legacy, but lamented the human race hasn't learnt from past mistakes. "It's important to honour those that have gone before us and made incredible sacrifices, endured horrendous torture and sadness, but we don't seem to learn from it," she told AAP. "We keep doing it unfortunately." Phil Ward attended the Sydney service to honour his father's legacy in the 2/20th battalion in Singapore, having survived internment and the Burma railway. The commemorations represented the "enduring gratitude" to those who defend our freedoms, Mr Ward said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese marked VP Day, when Japan accepted the Allied forces' terms of surrender sparking the end of World War II, by paying tribute to soldiers' courage and the stories of endless longing for the home many never saw again. Almost one million Australians served in uniform during the war, but 40,000 never got to see its conclusion. About 66,000 were wounded, while many thousands more became prisoners of war, with 8000 dying in captivity. "Every life and dream and future swallowed in that vortex of madness and cruelty, from every battlefield and every burning city, from the prisoner of war camps to the unprecedented horror of the concentration camps," Mr Albanese said. "These were nightmares made real - not by monsters but by human beings in a grotesque perversion of humanity." Despite the jubilation that came from the victory, there was also sorrow for those who perished. RSL Victoria President Mark Schroffel said there were countless unsung heroes who never returned home to tell their stories or had the chance to have a family. "That's particularly sad for them, and hopefully what we're doing today will help preserve their memory," he said. "The sacrifice and the loss was a terrible time for the world and we need to remember that even though a victory was declared, nobody really wins." Australia played a significant role in the Pacific during World War II, fighting against Japan from 1941 to 1945. Initially, Australian forces engaged in campaigns in Malaya and Singapore. After the bombing of Darwin in February 1942, the focus shifted to defending the Australian mainland and supporting the US-led counteroffensive in the Pacific. Federal Veterans' Affairs Minister Matt Keogh said the day marked the end of a great darkness - brought on by the most devastating global conflict in human history. Lifeline 13 11 14 Open Arms 1800 011 046 Memories of those who have served and those who fell before the end of the Second World War have been carried forward, 80 years on. Services across the nation marked the Victory in the Pacific anniversary on Friday, with commemorations held at the Sydney Cenotaph, the National War Memorial in Canberra, the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, the State War Memorial in Perth and the National War Memorial in Adelaide. Braving frosty conditions, Maureen Bell, from Brighton in Melbourne's southeast, commemorated her father Bert Jones' memory, proudly wearing his war medals at the Shrine. She remembered her dad as one of many who never talked seriously about the war, instead telling funny stories of his service to ease the memory of terrible times. "He said he was called Screamer because they would play AFL football in New Guinea and he'd jump up and take a mark and everybody would say that was a screamer of a mark," she reminisced. "But I found out decades later that dad was called Screamer because he was really loud." Ms Bell said she was proud of her dad's legacy, but lamented the human race hasn't learnt from past mistakes. "It's important to honour those that have gone before us and made incredible sacrifices, endured horrendous torture and sadness, but we don't seem to learn from it," she told AAP. "We keep doing it unfortunately." Phil Ward attended the Sydney service to honour his father's legacy in the 2/20th battalion in Singapore, having survived internment and the Burma railway. The commemorations represented the "enduring gratitude" to those who defend our freedoms, Mr Ward said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese marked VP Day, when Japan accepted the Allied forces' terms of surrender sparking the end of World War II, by paying tribute to soldiers' courage and the stories of endless longing for the home many never saw again. Almost one million Australians served in uniform during the war, but 40,000 never got to see its conclusion. About 66,000 were wounded, while many thousands more became prisoners of war, with 8000 dying in captivity. "Every life and dream and future swallowed in that vortex of madness and cruelty, from every battlefield and every burning city, from the prisoner of war camps to the unprecedented horror of the concentration camps," Mr Albanese said. "These were nightmares made real - not by monsters but by human beings in a grotesque perversion of humanity." Despite the jubilation that came from the victory, there was also sorrow for those who perished. RSL Victoria President Mark Schroffel said there were countless unsung heroes who never returned home to tell their stories or had the chance to have a family. "That's particularly sad for them, and hopefully what we're doing today will help preserve their memory," he said. "The sacrifice and the loss was a terrible time for the world and we need to remember that even though a victory was declared, nobody really wins." Australia played a significant role in the Pacific during World War II, fighting against Japan from 1941 to 1945. Initially, Australian forces engaged in campaigns in Malaya and Singapore. After the bombing of Darwin in February 1942, the focus shifted to defending the Australian mainland and supporting the US-led counteroffensive in the Pacific. Federal Veterans' Affairs Minister Matt Keogh said the day marked the end of a great darkness - brought on by the most devastating global conflict in human history. Lifeline 13 11 14 Open Arms 1800 011 046 Memories of those who have served and those who fell before the end of the Second World War have been carried forward, 80 years on. Services across the nation marked the Victory in the Pacific anniversary on Friday, with commemorations held at the Sydney Cenotaph, the National War Memorial in Canberra, the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, the State War Memorial in Perth and the National War Memorial in Adelaide. Braving frosty conditions, Maureen Bell, from Brighton in Melbourne's southeast, commemorated her father Bert Jones' memory, proudly wearing his war medals at the Shrine. She remembered her dad as one of many who never talked seriously about the war, instead telling funny stories of his service to ease the memory of terrible times. "He said he was called Screamer because they would play AFL football in New Guinea and he'd jump up and take a mark and everybody would say that was a screamer of a mark," she reminisced. "But I found out decades later that dad was called Screamer because he was really loud." Ms Bell said she was proud of her dad's legacy, but lamented the human race hasn't learnt from past mistakes. "It's important to honour those that have gone before us and made incredible sacrifices, endured horrendous torture and sadness, but we don't seem to learn from it," she told AAP. "We keep doing it unfortunately." Phil Ward attended the Sydney service to honour his father's legacy in the 2/20th battalion in Singapore, having survived internment and the Burma railway. The commemorations represented the "enduring gratitude" to those who defend our freedoms, Mr Ward said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese marked VP Day, when Japan accepted the Allied forces' terms of surrender sparking the end of World War II, by paying tribute to soldiers' courage and the stories of endless longing for the home many never saw again. Almost one million Australians served in uniform during the war, but 40,000 never got to see its conclusion. About 66,000 were wounded, while many thousands more became prisoners of war, with 8000 dying in captivity. "Every life and dream and future swallowed in that vortex of madness and cruelty, from every battlefield and every burning city, from the prisoner of war camps to the unprecedented horror of the concentration camps," Mr Albanese said. "These were nightmares made real - not by monsters but by human beings in a grotesque perversion of humanity." Despite the jubilation that came from the victory, there was also sorrow for those who perished. RSL Victoria President Mark Schroffel said there were countless unsung heroes who never returned home to tell their stories or had the chance to have a family. "That's particularly sad for them, and hopefully what we're doing today will help preserve their memory," he said. "The sacrifice and the loss was a terrible time for the world and we need to remember that even though a victory was declared, nobody really wins." Australia played a significant role in the Pacific during World War II, fighting against Japan from 1941 to 1945. Initially, Australian forces engaged in campaigns in Malaya and Singapore. After the bombing of Darwin in February 1942, the focus shifted to defending the Australian mainland and supporting the US-led counteroffensive in the Pacific. Federal Veterans' Affairs Minister Matt Keogh said the day marked the end of a great darkness - brought on by the most devastating global conflict in human history. Lifeline 13 11 14 Open Arms 1800 011 046
Epoch Times
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Overuse of ‘Welcome to Country' Could Cheapen Its Significance: Opposition Leader
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has spoken out about 'overdone' Indigenous Welcome to Country ceremonies in the fourth and final prime ministerial debate before the May 3 election. Speaking on the evening of April 27, Dutton was asked about a contentious episode over the long weekend during Anzac Day commemorations on April 25. Boos and heckling could be heard during a Welcome to Country being performed during the dawn service at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance At least three men were heard interrupting as Bunurong elder Uncle Mark Brown, with police later ordering a 26-year-old man to leave the venue. Attendees reported hearing chants of, 'Don't welcome us to our country,' 'What about the Anzacs?' and 'We're here for the Australians.' Some other attendees reportedly responded by then yelling, 'Shame on you,' at the group of men, which included a self-proclaimed neo-Nazi Jacob Hersant. Related Stories 4/24/2025 4/27/2025 A similar situation occurred in Perth. Created in the 1970s, the Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country has become near-pervasive in Australian public life featuring before the start of official events, sporting events, and even on public signage. Dutton condemned the booing during the solemn Anzac ceremony, but acknowledged a growing sense of annoyance in the community with Welcome to Country ceremonies. 'For the opening of Parliament, fair enough, it's respectful to do, but for the start of every meeting at work or the start of a football game, I think a lot of Australians think it's overdone,' he told the Channel 7 debate. 'It cheapens the significance of what it was meant to do.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented that he believed it was up to event organisers to decide whether or not they included a Welcome to Country ceremony. Dutton's comments echoed the sentiments of an unidentified veteran who was interviewed in the aftermath of the booing at the Melbourne ceremony. Channel Nine reporter Mark Santomartino spoke to the man at the Melbourne service who said there was a time and a place for everything. 'I have a lot of veteran mates who haven't come today solely because of the Welcome to Country because our friends died for this country, for this soil, and for them the 'welcome' is a slap in the face,' he told the reporter. 'It's not right to welcome veterans ... just listen to all the people that have died for this country, for them to 'welcome' us in this country is disrespectful.' People First Party Leader Gerard Rennick also spoke out against the inclusion of the Welcome to the Country ceremony at Anzac Day events. 'It is disrespectful to our veterans and must stop. 'We are there to pay our respects to those who served our country and remember their sacrifices.'
BreakingNews.ie
25-04-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Anzac Day protests condemned by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned anti-indigenous rights protesters who disrupted two Anzac Day dawn services. 'The disruption of Anzac Day is beyond contempt and the people responsible must face the full force of the law,' Mr Albanese told reporters. Advertisement 'This was an act of low cowardice on a day when we honour courage and sacrifice,' he added. The protests come during a heightened political atmosphere before general elections on May 3 in which indigenous rights are a campaign issue. April 25, 1915 was the day when the newly-formed Australia and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the beaches of Gallipoli, in north-west Turkey, in an ill-fated campaign that was the soldiers' first combat of the First World War. It is considered Australia's most unifying national holiday and a sacred day when political point-scoring and protest are generally avoided. Advertisement An honour guard officer salutes a memorial to the dead during Anzac Day commemorations in Nelson Bay, Australia (AP Photo/Mark Baker) A group of hecklers including self-described Nazi Jacob Hersant booed and jeered during a dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne where 50,000 gathered. In Perth, a lone man yelled briefly during a dawn service at Kings Park before the 25,000 people who surrounded him persuaded him to stay silent, a police statement said. The man left soon after. The disruptions were triggered in both cities by the so-called Welcome to Country ceremony, which is held at the outset of many Australian public events in which indigenous leaders welcome visitors to their traditional land. The Melbourne-based First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, an indigenous advocacy group, said in a statement it 'strongly condemns the racist attack during the Welcome to Country' in Melbourne. Advertisement Mr Albanese said the disruptions in both Melbourne and Perth were a 'disgrace'. 'There is no place in Australia for what occurred,' Mr Albanese said. In Melbourne, the interruptions continued after the Welcome to Country at any mention by speakers of indigenous soldiers or traditional owners of Australia. Hecklers yelled 'this is our country' and 'we don't have to be welcomed,' echoing a slogan of the minor party Trumpet of Patriots. The party's extensive advertising is funded by mining magnate Clive Palmer and party officials say they are inspired by US President Donald Trump's policies. Advertisement The hecklers were drowned out by the applause of others who urged the speakers to continue. MPs in the opposition Liberal Party have complained that Welcome to Country ceremonies have become too prevalent and cost the Labour Party government 452,953 Australian dollars (£217,708) over two years. But opposition leader Peter Dutton on Friday defended the place of such Indigenous ceremonies on Anzac Day. 'Welcome to Country is an important part of official ceremonies and it should be respected. I don't agree with the booing and I don't agree, in our democracy, that people can't accept the views of others,' Mr Dutton told reporters. Advertisement 'We have a proud indigenous heritage in this country and we should be proud to celebrate it as part of today.' Police were seen escorting Hersant away from the Melbourne service. Hersant is a leader of the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network and last year became the first person in Australia to be sentenced to prison for performing an outlawed Nazi salute. Jacob Hersant booed and jeered during a dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk, FILE) He remains free on bail because his appeal against a one-month prison sentence has yet to be heard. 'They want to humiliate us over and over again,' Hersant told reporters before police led him away, referring to indigenous leaders. Victoria Police confirmed a 26-year-old Melbourne man had been directed to leave the service. They did not confirm the suspect's identity in accordance with its usual policy. The suspect had been interviewed over an allegation of offensive behaviour and would be issued a summons to appear in court, a police statement said. Video showed at least one other protester repeating a white supremacist slogan being dragged away from the service by a member of the public. Western Australia Police Force said the Perth service disruption remained under investigation. 'The Anzac Day service is a solemn commemoration and any disorderly behavior at such commemorations will not be tolerated by police,' a police statement said.
Toronto Star
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Australian prime minister condemns anti-Indigenous rights protests during war dead commemorations
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned anti-Indigenous rights protesters who disrupted two Anzac Day dawn services on Friday as hundreds of thousands gathered across the nation to commemorate their war dead. 'The disruption of Anzac Day is beyond contempt and the people responsible must face the full force of the law,' Albanese told reporters. 'This was an act of low cowardice on a day when we honor courage and sacrifice,' he added. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The protests come during a heightened political atmosphere ahead of general elections on May 3 in which Indigenous rights are a campaign issue. April 25, 1915 was the day when the newly-formed Australia and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the beaches of Gallipoli, in northwest Turkey, in an ill-fated campaign that was the soldiers' first combat of World War I. It is considered Australia's most unifying national holiday and a sacred day when political point-scoring and protest are generally avoided. Protesters disrupt dawn services in Melbourne and Perth A group of hecklers including self-described Nazi Jacob Hersant booed and jeered during a dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne where 50,000 gathered. In Perth, a lone man yelled briefly during a dawn service at Kings Park before the 25,000 people who surrounded him persuaded him to stay silent, a police statement said. The man left soon after. The disruptions were triggered in both cities by the so-called Welcome to Country ceremony, which is held at the outset of many Australian public events in which Indigenous leaders welcome visitors to their traditional land. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The Melbourne-based First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, an Indigenous advocacy group, said in a statement it 'strongly condemns the racist attack during the Welcome to Country' in Melbourne. Prime minister labels protests 'disgrace' Albanese said the disruptions in both Melbourne and Perth were a 'disgrace.' 'There is no place in Australia for what occurred,' Albanese said. In Melbourne, the interruptions continued after the Welcome to Country at any mention by speakers of Indigenous soldiers or traditional owners of Australia. Hecklers yelled 'this is our country' and 'we don't have to be welcomed,' echoing a slogan of the minor party Trumpet of Patriots. The party's extensive advertising is funded by mining magnate Clive Palmer and party officials say they are inspired by U.S. President Donald Trump's policies. The hecklers were drowned out by the applause of others who urged the speakers to continue. Lawmakers in the opposition conservative Liberal Party have complained that Welcome to Country ceremonies have become too prevalent and cost the center-left Labor Party government 452,953 Australian dollars ($289,602) over two years. Opposition leader defends Indigenous ceremony But opposition leader Peter Dutton on Friday defended the place of such Indigenous ceremonies on Anzac Day. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'Welcome to Country is an important part of official ceremonies and it should be respected. I don't agree with the booing and I don't agree, in our democracy, that people can't accept the views of others,' Dutton told reporters. 'We have a proud Indigenous heritage in this country and we should be proud to celebrate it as part of today.' Police were seen escorting Hersant away from the Melbourne service. Hersant is a leader of the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network and last year became the first person in Australia to be sentenced to prison for performing an outlawed Nazi salute. He remains free on bail because his appeal against a one-month prison sentence has yet to be heard. 'They want to humiliate us over and over again,' Hersant told reporters before police led him away, referring to Indigenous leaders. . Hersant's lawyer did not immediately respond to the AP's request for comment on Friday. Victoria and Western Australia state police respond Victoria Police confirmed a 26-year-old Melbourne man had been directed to leave the service. They did not confirm the suspect's identity in accordance with its usual policy. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The suspect had been interviewed over an allegation of offensive behavior and would be issued a summons to appear in court, a police statement said. Video showed at least one other protester repeating a white supremacist slogan being dragged away from the service by a member of the public. Western Australia Police Force said the Perth service disruption remained under investigation. 'The Anzac Day service is a solemn commemoration and any disorderly behavior at such commemorations will not be tolerated by police,' a police statement said.
San Francisco Chronicle
25-04-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Australian prime minister condemns anti-Indigenous rights protests during war dead commemorations
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned anti-Indigenous rights protesters who disrupted two Anzac Day dawn services on Friday as hundreds of thousands gathered across the nation to commemorate their war dead. 'The disruption of Anzac Day is beyond contempt and the people responsible must face the full force of the law,' Albanese told reporters. 'This was an act of low cowardice on a day when we honor courage and sacrifice,' he added. The protests come during a heightened political atmosphere ahead of general elections on May 3 in which Indigenous rights are a campaign issue. April 25, 1915 was the day when the newly-formed Australia and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the beaches of Gallipoli, in northwest Turkey, in an ill-fated campaign that was the soldiers' first combat of World War I. It is considered Australia's most unifying national holiday and a sacred day when political point-scoring and protest are generally avoided. Protesters disrupt dawn services in Melbourne and Perth A group of hecklers including self-described Nazi Jacob Hersant booed and jeered during a dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne where 50,000 gathered. In Perth, a lone man yelled briefly during a dawn service at Kings Park before the 25,000 people who surrounded him persuaded him to stay silent, a police statement said. The man left soon after. The disruptions were triggered in both cities by the so-called Welcome to Country ceremony, which is held at the outset of many Australian public events in which Indigenous leaders welcome visitors to their traditional land. The Melbourne-based First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, an Indigenous advocacy group, said in a statement it 'strongly condemns the racist attack during the Welcome to Country' in Melbourne. Albanese said the disruptions in both Melbourne and Perth were a 'disgrace.' 'There is no place in Australia for what occurred,' Albanese said. In Melbourne, the interruptions continued after the Welcome to Country at any mention by speakers of Indigenous soldiers or traditional owners of Australia. Hecklers yelled 'this is our country' and 'we don't have to be welcomed,' echoing a slogan of the minor party Trumpet of Patriots. The party's extensive advertising is funded by mining magnate Clive Palmer and party officials say they are inspired by U.S. President Donald Trump's policies. The hecklers were drowned out by the applause of others who urged the speakers to continue. Lawmakers in the opposition conservative Liberal Party have complained that Welcome to Country ceremonies have become too prevalent and cost the center-left Labor Party government 452,953 Australian dollars ($289,602) over two years. Opposition leader defends Indigenous ceremony But opposition leader Peter Dutton on Friday defended the place of such Indigenous ceremonies on Anzac Day. 'Welcome to Country is an important part of official ceremonies and it should be respected. I don't agree with the booing and I don't agree, in our democracy, that people can't accept the views of others,' Dutton told reporters. 'We have a proud Indigenous heritage in this country and we should be proud to celebrate it as part of today.' Police were seen escorting Hersant away from the Melbourne service. Hersant is a leader of the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network and last year became the first person in Australia to be sentenced to prison for performing an outlawed Nazi salute. He remains free on bail because his appeal against a one-month prison sentence has yet to be heard. 'They want to humiliate us over and over again,' Hersant told reporters before police led him away, referring to Indigenous leaders. . Victoria and Western Australia state police respond Victoria Police confirmed a 26-year-old Melbourne man had been directed to leave the service. They did not confirm the suspect's identity in accordance with its usual policy. The suspect had been interviewed over an allegation of offensive behavior and would be issued a summons to appear in court, a police statement said. Video showed at least one other protester repeating a white supremacist slogan being dragged away from the service by a member of the public. Western Australia Police Force said the Perth service disruption remained under investigation. 'The Anzac Day service is a solemn commemoration and any disorderly behavior at such commemorations will not be tolerated by police,' a police statement said.
