On Anzac Day, 25 April 2025, Bunurong elder Uncle Mark Brown was booed and jeered during a Welcome to Country at a Melbourne dawn service. The hecklers included known neo-Nazi Jacob Hersant, the first Victorian convicted under the state's new ban on Nazi salutes.
The stunt drew bipartisan condemnation from leaders including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan. However, former opposition leader Peter Dutton's initial condemnation was overshadowed by his later criticism of Welcome to Country ceremonies as 'over the top'.
Conservative commentators in News Corp publications echoed Dutton's stance, tepidly condemning the neo-Nazis' methods while embracing attacks on Indigenous acknowledgements. News.com.au ran a poll asking readers about Welcome to Country ceremonies, with 65% voting to stop them immediately.
Researchers argue that far-right groups benefit from media coverage, even when negative, as it amplifies their messages. The incident highlights how fringe groups can hijack political and media agendas, especially during election campaigns.
