Planned student protests against One Nation and capitalism on Remembrance Day have been condemned by politicians and veterans’ groups, who say the demonstrations should be moved to another date.
Students are expected to walk out of schools and protest in cities across Australia on November 11. Organisers from the High School Anti-Capitalists have said the timing is coincidental and that the demonstrations will be peaceful.
One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce rejected that explanation, accusing the organisers of deliberately choosing a provocative date.
“I think it’s disgraceful,” Joyce said.
He said November 11 was reserved for remembering Australians who died while serving their country, including more than 60,000 people during the First World War.
“It’s not a coincidence … it’s a day that represents those who served in the defence force, especially the First World War,” he said.
Joyce said the protests should not be allowed to proceed on Remembrance Day, describing the plans as “an absolute outrage”. He questioned what reaction organisers expected by holding demonstrations on a day associated with national commemoration.
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek also called for the action to be rescheduled, while defending the right to protest.
“I support people having their say and being able to protest, but do it on a Saturday, and we’ll see how many kids turn up if it’s a Saturday rather than a day off school,” she said.
Plibersek said Remembrance Day and Anzac Day were among Australia’s most solemn occasions and should be used to honour those who had given their lives for their country.
“It’s not a day for protest,” she said.
The “No to Hanson” demonstrations are being organised in solidarity with student protests in France. The Australian campaign is aimed at One Nation and what organisers describe as the growth of the far right.
Special Forces veteran Heston Russell has also urged students to show maturity and respect for the occasion, arguing that the planned action could distract from the purpose of Remembrance Day.
“It’s a pretty sad state when our students in those classrooms want to walk out on that day, that day that actually brings people together … to choose to protest something in Australia politically that’s not even linked to what’s going on in France,” he said.
Remembrance Day is held on November 11 to mark the 1918 Armistice that ended fighting in the First World War. Australians traditionally observe a minute’s silence at 11am to remember those who died or suffered while serving in wars, conflicts and peace operations.
