Incorrect media reporting
11 April 2019Recent media reporting about Royal Australian Navy personnel marching in Anzac Day Dawn Services is misleading and incorrect.
Royal Australian Navy people have not been stopped from marching at Anzac Day Dawn Services, or in any parades throughout the day.
Reporting references a decision that affected the Greenwell Point Anzac Day Dawn Service only. The decision was that Navy people would not march in the dark at the risk of personal safety. In light of community support and measures to effectively mitigate safety concerns, that decision was reviewed and reversed the morning of 10 April.
The Chief of the Defence Force and the Chief of Navy then provided testimony to a Parliamentary Senate Committee in the afternoon of 10 April advising that Navy people would march at this service.
Australian Defence Force personnel support local communities at their services and marches, as they have always done.
Issued by Ministerial and Executive Coordination and Communication,
Department of Defence,
Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999 Fax: 02 6265 6946
