Sydney Man Charged Over Anzac Day Booing Insists He Was “Defending Veterans” From the Aboriginal Veteran He Was Booing

SYDNEY – A 24-year-old Sydney man charged after booing during the Acknowledgement of Country at the Martin Place dawn service has clarified his actions to police, telling officers he was “defending the legacy of our fallen Diggers” from the Aboriginal Vietnam veteran delivering the address.

Pastor and Uncle Ray Minniecon – a former ADF servicemember whose family has enlisted continuously from the First World War through to the present day – was interrupted by a small pocket of men shouting from the rear of the crowd. The booing was met with an extended chorus of applause from the thousands gathered in support.

“I served this country in spirit” the man told the Cenotaph officer who lifted him out by his Bonds singlet. “These blokes come over here and deliver a moving acknowledgement that connects the dawn service to 65,000 years of unbroken sovereign tradition. Where’s the line?”

A spokesperson for the small but vocal group later issued a statement insisting the booing was “what the Diggers fought for” before being asked to nominate a single Digger they could name without using Google.

“Henry Lawson” replied one. “He’s a Digger isn’t he?”

RSL NSW issued an unreserved apology to Uncle Minniecon. The acting president told the ABC he was “pretty convinced none of the bunch of louts have ever done anything constructive for our nation”.

The 24-year-old has been granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on 3 June.

“We will boo them, at the going down of the sun and in the morning.” – Spokesperson, Bunch of Louts Who Have Never Served Their Country or Done Anything Constructive