Dutton claims majority of veterans don’t want welcome to country at Anzac Day ceremonies

Opposition leader says opening of parliament is an appropriate time for ceremonies but that acknowledgment on planes is over the top'

• Election 2025 live updates: Australia federal election campaign
• Polls tracker; election guide; full federal election coverage
• Anywhere but Canberra; interactive electorates guide
• Listen to the latest episode of our new narrative podcast series: Gina
• Get our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcast

Peter Dutton has confirmed he does not believe welcome to country ceremonies are necessary at Anzac Day dawn services and on commercial flights, continuing to stoke a culture war in the final week of the election campaign.

It comes days after a neo-Nazi booed and heckled a welcome to country ceremony at a dawn service in Melbourne.

Sign up for the Afternoon Update: Election 2025 email newsletter