Australian politics, news recap April 25: Albo says ‘full force of the law’ will confront Anzac Day disruptors

Thanks for following our live coverage of Anzac Day commemorations across Australia.

Join us tomorrow for more politics coverage and for live updates on the Pope’s funeral.

Enjoy your weekend!

Linda Reynolds is suing the Federal Government over the $2.4 million settlement it reached with her former staffer Brittany Higgins over its handling of her alleged rape at Parliament House.

The outgoing Senator’s legal action is also against law firm HWL Ebsworth, which was involved in settling the claim.

Senator Reynolds’ lawyer Martin Bennett has confirmed that the writ was filed late on Thursday in the Federal Court but sealed copies had not yet been issued to the respondents.

Read the full story

WA Police have confirmed they have launched an investigation after a heckler disrupted a Welcome to Country ceremony during the Anzac Day dawn service on Friday.

The man could be heard yelling a racist remark as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans and Services of WA president Di Ryder performed the ceremony at the State War Memorial at Kings Park.

“Shortly before 6.00am, during this morning’s Anzac Day Dawn Service in Kings Park, an unknown man was heard yelling during the proceedings,” a police spokeswoman said.

“Bystanders asked the man to refrain from yelling, and no further disturbance occurred. The man left the scene shortly afterwards.

“The Anzac Day service is a solemn commemoration, and any disorderly behaviour at such commemorations will not be tolerated by police.”

The spokeswoman said: “Inquiries are ongoing.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has strongly condemned the “disgraceful” actions at Anzac Day dawn services in Melbourne and Perth.

Speaking from Parliament House on Friday afternoon, Mr Albanese said there was “no place in Australia for what occurred”.

“The disruption of Anzac Day is beyond contempt, and the people responsible must face the full force of the law. This was an act of low cowardice,” he said.

“On a day when we honour courage and sacrifice, Anzac Day is when we come together to remember all those who have served our country in war and in the cause of peace.”

He said as the nation comes together in gratitude, Australia reiterates its commitment to caring, recognising and supporting veterans and their families.

“We honour all who have volunteered, sacrificed, and those who have died for our nation, including First Nations Australians,” he said.

“The words that matter today are the simple and sacred promise that Australians repeated in their millions: Lest we Forget.”

“The spirit of Anzac is alive in modern Australia. That spirit has carried us from 1915 to today,” Gov Mostyn said.

“Through Australia’s deployment to other theatres of war, and in Australia’s participation in vital peacekeeping missions, where we have contributed in every year since 1947.

“It is embodied in the service women and men of our Australian Defence Force and in their families, for whom service is a way of life.

“It is also vibrant in our communities more broadly, where we see works of care, kindness and respect performed in the service of others. And in each new generation, that is where the Anzac spirit is renewed.

“The monumental loss and terrible sadness of Gallipoli has altered our hearts and minds across generations.

“We mourn the horror of war and the loss of so many and cherish the Anzac story.

“Certain that in the words of one young Australian - commemoration can inspire Australia’s potential to be brave and extraordinary.

“What happened here 110 years ago is a constant call, not to arms, but to peace, and that is why we will remember them.

“Lest we forget.”

“For the Anzacs, crossing oceans and hemispheres, to the unknown, these brothers, cousins, knock about mates and countrymen carried with them the hope, humour, energy and the certainty of youth and a deeply felt sense of duty to their countries,” Gov. Mostyn said.

“They had travelled great distances both within and beyond Australia and New Zealand’s shores to reach this place.

“As the days, weeks and months passed, Gallipoli became a familiar terrain of fear, filth and sickness, of smoke from the shells, and the terrifying crack of bullets. And of course of death.

“As you’ve heard many times this morning, in their letters home, from this place, they chronicled the horrors of war.

“Their words and often those they couldn’t bring themselves to write, or didn’t live long enough to complete, reveal the most ordinary of human emotions.

“Fear, longing and shock at their dire circumstances. They wrote of the bodies of their fallen brothers and the names of those who were missing at roll call.

“They spoke of the care and concern for their mates and how much they missed the simple pleasures of home and yearned deeply for loved ones.

“They wrote poignantly of love, of courage, gallantry and sacrifice, often leaving notes that in the event of their death, their diaries were to find their way to their mothers, wives and their families.

“These ordinary men met the most challenging of circumstances in the most extraordinary ways.”

“Called to serve, called to fight, ultimately for far too many to die,” Gov. Mostyn said.

“We remember them as exceptional. And certainly there were incredible acts of extraordinary valour.

“Stories of exceptional courage and sacrifice that have resounded the generations. But those who fought here, as you’ve heard this morning, were just like us.

“The quiet thoughtful mate, the hard worker, the loner, the larrikin and so many of the characters we all recognise. Look around you now and you see the same characteristics amongst us here today.”

“Today, together, with a shared history, a deeply shared history, we honour our beloved sons who fought and died in war, to afford us peace.,” Gen. Mostyn said.

“In darkness, this landscape is unfamiliar. Just as it was to the troops who came ashore on this day 110 years ago.

“Yesterday, shortly before this time at day’s break, together with my aid captain, Katie Higgins, and my husband, we stood on the shore of Anzac Cove with our feet in the water.

“As the first light arrived, as hard as we tried, it was impossible for us to put ourselves in the boots of those soldiers.

“Where we experienced the peace of the gentle lapping of the shore, and the beautiful bird song we hear right now, where we found peace, they encountered the fury and the maelstrom of bullets and shrapnel.”

Governor General Sam Mostyn is speaking in Gallipoli, representing Australia at the international event.

“As a proud Australian, as the daughter of a veteran, and as Australia’s Governor-General, it is an honour to be here to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings,” Gen. Mostyn said.

“It is a privilege to join the very many Australians and New Zealanders who have travelled here for this historic moment. Some of whom I met briefly in Istanbul just a few days ago.

“Just as many thousands of Australians and New Zealanders have done over so many years. Camping overnight often, preparing for the break of day.

“For this moment. Finding connection with the immense, immense sacrifices made here in our name.

“To the people of Türkiye, who have long welcomed us to this sacred ground, thank you. We are grateful for your continued warmth and extraordinary generosity.”

The name Jacob Hersant may be familiar.

In October, he became the first Victorian to be found guilty of carrying out the nazi salute.

After his conviction, he said he doesn’t feel shame and intends to continue performing the gesture.

Magistrate Brett Sonnet in October 2024 found neo-nazi Jacob Hersant, now 26, intentionally performed the salute on October 27, 2023, about six days after Victorian laws banning the gesture came into effect.

Video played to Melbourne Magistrates Court showed Hersant raising his arm to salute in front of journalists and camera crews outside the County Court.

He was then captured saying “nearly did it - it’s illegal now” and “Australia for the white man, heil Hitler”, before walking away.

Hersant pleaded not guilty, claiming he did not perform the sieg heil and, even if he did, the charge was constitutionally invalid as the gesture was a legitimate form of political expression.

But Mr Sonnet found Hersant was guilty of performing a gesture that so nearly resembled a nazi salute that it could have been viewed as such.

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