‘Lost for words’: Greens backdown on Anzac Day dance party fundraiser

The Greens have backflipped on holding a dance party fundraiser on Anzac Day in Perth.

The event page and an Instagram post about the fundraiser were pulled hours after the hard left minor party faced backlash following an article in The West Australian on the scheduled party.

The event was slated to be held on April 25 at a West Perth tattoo parlour and licensed venue to raise fund for the Greens candidate in the seat of Perth, Sophie Greer.

“The Federal election is right around the corner. Join us for a night when the dancefloor becomes the platform for radical change,” the event description stated.

“This election, let’s make history by electing Sophie Greer to the Federal seat of Perth and re-electing Jordon Steele-John to the Senate.”

“Your moves matter — on the floor and at the polls. Want change? Tonight, let’s dance for it.”

The event was selling single tickets for $30 with the option to donate as well.

In a statement to NewsWire, the Greens confirmed the event had been rescheduled, but did not say to when.

“The event originally scheduled for 25 April has been rescheduled. Sophie Greer will attend an Anzac Day service on that day, as she was always intending to do,” state party conveners Chilla Bullock and Giz Watson said.

Both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton called out the Greens for planning the event on Anzac Day.

Speaking on Perth’s 6PR on Tuesday before the event was officially cancelled, RSLWA president Duncan Anderson said he was “lost for words”.

“I expect most of the community, and certainly from an RSL perspective, we think it’s entirely inappropriate that politics is being conflated with Anzac Day.”

Mr Dutton labelled the Green’s dance party as “completely inappropriate”.

“It is completely inappropriate and reflects the values of the Greens,” the Opposition Leader told media on Tuesday.

“To every young Australian who is proud of their grandfather who fought in the war, proud of a cousin who is serving in the Australian Defence Force now, understand the Greens have complete contempt for our defence force personnel.”

The Prime Minister said Anzac Day was a “day of respect for the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice” and should not be “business as usual”.

While repeatedly ruling out a coalition deal with the Greens, Mr Albanese may need Greens support to form government after the election.

At the last federal election, the Greens called for defence spending to be cut to 1.5 per cent of GDP, but this time it is seeking only to cut “wasteful” parts of the Defence budget.

Being apolitical, Mr Anderson said the RSL would not accept a donation from the Greens should it be offered.

“I’m a bit lost for words to be honest, we are really blessed right across Australia to see how well the community embraces Anzac Day, and how, for one day a year we’re able to rise above politics,” Mr Anderson said.

“It’s actually not by luck that we’re able to live here and enjoy the freedoms, including the freedom of speech, through the service and sacrifice of generations of young men and women.

“Let’s not forget, the reason there is a public holiday is so people have time to pause and reflect and consider how lucky we are.”

Mr Anderson said he would leave it for politicians to make further comments, but as a member of the community and a veteran he was “at a loss” the event had been scheduled.

“The RSL raises funds on Anzac Day, but that goes straight back to our veterans.”

Ticketed events across the country on Anzac Day typically raise money for veteran support agencies such as Legacy.

The traditional AFL match on the day between Collingwood and Essendon typically sells out, as it has for this year’s edition. There are also 19 horse race meetings across the country on April 25.