2 weeks Ago By Stephanie Dalzell
The West Australian Greens have dumped plans to host a fundraising dance party on Anzac Day off the back of widespread criticism from veterans and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, who declared the minor party had shown "complete contempt" for defence force personnel. While politicians typically press pause on campaigning during Anzac Day, Greens WA had planned on holding a fundraiser at a Perth bar on the evening of April 25. "Join us for a night when the dancefloor becomes the platform for radical change," the social media invite said.
Catch the latest interviews and in-depth coverage on and "Your moves matter — on the floor and at the polls. Want change? Tonight, let's dance for it. And on May 3rd, you have to vote for it.
" But by midday on Tuesday, the event link had been pulled down and shortly afterwards, Greens WA issued a one-line statement declaring the fundraiser timing had changed. "The event originally scheduled for 25 April has been rescheduled. [Greens WA Perth Candidate] Sophie Greer will attend an Anzac Day service on that day, and she was always intending to do," Greens WA co-convenor Chilla Bulbeck said.
Federal Greens leader Adam Bandt said he wasn’t aware of the fundraiser when asked at his press conference on Tuesday. Prior to the event being rescheduled, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said holding a fundraiser on April 25 was "completely inappropriate". "I think it reflects the poor values that the Greens stand for," he said.
Federal Greens leader Adam Bandt says he was not aware of the fundraiser. "I just say to every young Australian who's proud of their grandfather who fought in the war, proud of a cousin who's serving in the Australian Defence Force now, understand that the Greens have complete contempt for our defence force personnel," he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was also questioned about the Greens' plans while out on the hustings in Tasmania.
"It's not a day for normal business as usual," he said. "Anzac Day is a day of respect for the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice, but also for us to respect the men and women who wear our uniform historically. "I know that Australians in their millions will pause on that day to say those three sacred words — lest we forget.
" The Greens are 'tone deaf': WA Premier WA Premier Roger Cook issued a stern rebuke of the Greens ahead of the event being cancelled, arguing Anzac Day is a time to "reflect and acknowledge the supreme sacrifice which people made on behalf of us". "The Greens have got to read the room, for goodness sake, it is not the day to put on a dance party fundraiser," he said. "Quite frankly this just suggests they are tone deaf.
" RSL WA president Duncan Anderson told ABC Perth Radio he believed the Greens had disrespected diggers with the fundraiser plans. Read more about the federal election: Want even more? He said he'd "moved through some emotions" when he first heard reports about the timing of the fundraiser. "I think leveraging the name Anzac for personal gain is something that I do not support," he said.
"That politics has been brought into this, I think, is the misstep and something that doesn't sit at all comfortably with me." But he said he believed that within the veteran community there would be a wide range of emotions "from probably anger to support". "I was confused, trying to work out why you would do that, I think a little bit upset at a point going well, that's a bit rude and disrespectful, but very quickly moved to well, this is the freedoms that we enjoy in Australia," he said.
"So it's very mixed emotions. "But the irony of the situation is, that's why so many have served, is so we can enjoy the freedoms we enjoy today." Having trouble seeing this form? Try .
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