April 26, 2026
As President of the Uniting Church in Australia, and in solidarity with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and our Synod Moderators, we are deeply concerned and disappointed by the disruption and booing that occurred during Anzac Day services across the nation.
Anzac Day is a sacred moment in our national life. It is a time for remembrance, reflection, and gratitude for those who have served and sacrificed. It calls us to gather in dignity and respect.
At the first light of dawn, we remember both the sacrifice of the Anzacs and the thousands of years of care for Country by our sovereign First Peoples.
A Welcome to Country is also a sacred moment, deserving of dignity and respect.
The behaviour observed yesterday fell short of the respect and dignity these moments call us to uphold.
We stand in solidarity with Ray Minniecon, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, and all who were affected. For many—particularly First Peoples—this was not merely a disruption. It caused real harm and was deeply disrespectful and, for some, traumatic, reflecting the ongoing reality of racism and racial harm in our nation.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have served this nation with courage and commitment, often in the face of exclusion and injustice. Their service is part of the Anzac story. Honouring that story truthfully is to honour the whole story of this land.
For the Uniting Church, an Acknowledgment of Country is an act of truth-telling. It recognises that First Peoples were here long before colonisation, nurtured by land, culture, and the presence of God. It is not a political act, but an act of humility and respect.
When truth-telling is met with disruption or dismissal, it reveals how far we still have to go as a nation in confronting our shared history with honesty.
As followers of Jesus Christ—who stood with those whose voices were silenced and spoke the truth in the face of injustice—we are called to honour truth, listen deeply, and walk together with respect and justice.
Since its inauguration, the Uniting Church has committed to confronting injustice and upholding the dignity of every person, pledging to seek “the correction of injustices wherever they occur.” This moment calls us again to that witness.
Across our Church, we are called to listen more deeply, honour truth, and walk together with respect.
As a Church, we reaffirm our covenant commitment to stand alongside the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and to walk together in truth, justice, and healing. We acknowledge the pain caused and recommit to listening, learning, and acting with integrity.
We encourage all Australians to approach our national days of remembrance with respect, to listen humbly, and to honour the full depth of our shared history.
We pray for healing, understanding, and a renewed commitment to being a nation marked by truth, respect, and compassion.