Anti-Immigration Group Denies Organising Anzac Day Booing — Despite Pre-Event Post

What happened

The Australian anti-immigration group at the centre of the Anzac Day booing controversy says it did not organise the heckling of Welcome to Country addresses. Reporting from The Guardian notes that a since-deleted social media post from the group's account had asked followers ahead of the dawn services, 'how loud will you be?'

What the group is saying

- The booing was 'spontaneous' and not coordinated by the organisation.
- Members may have attended individually but were not directed.
- The 'how loud will you be' post was 'general engagement', not a call to disrupt.

What's at issue

- Coordination question. Australian state and federal officials are weighing whether the group's activities meet thresholds for surveillance or formal classification.
- Free speech vs harassment. Welcome to Country at a war memorial service is now a contested civic ritual; how the law treats organised disruption of it matters.
- Political pressure. South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has been the loudest critic; other state premiers have been more measured.

What to watch

- ASIO and AFP statements on the group's status.
- RSL state-by-state positions on whether Welcome to Country remains in 2027 services.
- Polling on Welcome to Country itself — particularly among voters under 40.

Sources

- The Guardian — Anti-immigration group claims it did not organise Anzac Day booing