The Western Australia RSL has reversed its decision to ban the flying of the Aboriginal flag and the performance of the Welcome to Country ritual at Anzac ceremonies, after being labelled ‘ignorant’ and ‘racist’.
The state branch announced the new policy on Friday saying all performances during Anzac and Remembrance Day events, apart from the New Zealand national anthem, must be in English.
‘While having utmost respect for the traditional owners of land upon which such sites and memorials are located, RSLWA does not view it appropriate that a Welcome to Country is used at sites that were specifically established to pay homage to those who died and who came from a wide range of cultural backgrounds,’ the policy said.
The move was fiercely critcised by members of the public, including Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt, who called it ‘regrettable and divisive.’
RSLWA has reversed its decision to ban the flying of the Aboriginal flag and performance of the Welcome to Country rite at Anzac and Remembrance Day ceremonies following widespread backlash
An Anzac Day service in Fremantle, WA. Some RSLWA members complained that an Aboriginal elder read the the Ode of Remembrance in the Noongar language at the Fremantle service last year
‘I suggest they reconsider. Immediately,’ he tweeted.
‘It is worth noting that our New Zealand partners embrace the language of their indigenous peoples at Anzac Day ceremonies. We should do the same.’
RSLWA CEO John McCourt released a statement on Sunday saying the policy has been overturned due to the widespread backlash.
‘Given the level of community reaction to RSLWA’s advisory policy on cultural matters relating to commemoration, this policy has now been withdrawn,’ a statement read, according to the ABC.
‘RSLWA is concerned that its position on the matter had unfortunately drawn misunderstandings of its intent.
Outraged Australians have slammed the decision as ‘disgustingly racist’ on the RSLWA’s Facebook page
‘RSLWA values and respects the Australian Indigenous community and, in particular, Indigenous veterans.
‘RSLWA accepts the policy may have been open to misinterpretation.’
‘Its advisory policy will be reviewed and relaunched in the near future following further dialogue with interested parties.’
Earlier Mr McCourt explained that the new policy was in response to complaints from RSLWA members.
Aboriginal elder Professor Len Collard read the Ode of Remembrance in the Noongar language during an Anzac Day dawn service in Fremantle last year.
Some RSLWA members complained to the board that Professor Collard did not perform the ritual in English, which resulted in the controversial new policy.
Veterans Issues Minister Peter Tinley, who is a veteran, had said Aboriginal people wore the uniform for 87 years before they were even counted as Australians.
: People gather at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance to pay their respects during the dawn service of the ANZAC day in Melbourne in 2018
‘The RSL has got it wrong and I’m appalled that in this day and age that they would be so prescriptive,’ he told reporters.
‘This really hurts, this really strikes at the heart of reconciliation.
‘I don’t accept the concept that First Nation Australians, who have continuous occupation of this land for 50,000 years, are tagged into a multicultural bucket … they have a very special part of our story.’
Premier Mark McGowan also strongly urged RSLWA to reconsider.
The outrage continued on social media where Australians had slammed the decision as ‘disgustingly racist’ on the RSLWA’s Facebook page.
‘How disgustingly racist of you! You should be absolutely ashamed of yourselves,’ a Perth man wrote.
Another man said: ‘We gather on Aboriginal land. Always has been, Always will be.’
The outrage continued on Twitter, where people were equally upset by the ‘step backwards’ from RSLWA.
‘As an Australian veteran I can firmly say that the RSLWA does not represent me. This is disgraceful racism and contrary to ADF values and practices,’ one man said.
An Aboriginal education consultant wrote: ‘Another day in WA as RSLWA bans the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at ANZAC and Remembrance Day services. You refused to acknowledge when mob served, and now you continue to refuse to acknowledge us.’