Disruptions at Anzac Day Ceremony Spark Legal Action
Witnesses have described their feelings of “disgust” after a group of men disrupted the Anzac Day Dawn Service in Melbourne by booing and heckling. The incident occurred during the ceremony on April 25, 2025, and has since led to legal charges against four individuals.
Jacob Hersant, Nathan Bull, Michael Nelson, and Ian Lomax are currently facing charges for behaving in an offensive manner and breaching the Shrine of Remembrance Regulations Act. They are contesting these charges in a hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
Mr. Hersant, Mr. Bull, and Mr. Nelson are known for their involvement in white supremacist groups. Mr. Lomax, a dentist from Ballarat, was suspended from his medical practice following allegations linking him to neo-Nazi rallies. Their actions during the Anzac Day service have drawn significant public and political attention.
During the event, the men were heard booing and shouting racist slogans. The disruptions began while elder Mark Brown was delivering a Welcome to Country. Prosecutor Ryan Mallia stated that the noise was loud enough to be heard across the entire crowd.
One witness, a woman who was near Mr. Nelson and Mr. Lomax, expressed her distress. She said she felt “upset and disgusted” and noted that many people were there to show respect at a significant ceremony for Australians.
Footage shown in court depicted members of the crowd urging the men to be quiet and to “show respect.” Mr. Nelson was seen smiling as an ex-serviceman dragged him away from the scene.
Another witness described the interruptions as a “continual disruptive barrage.” He added that people attended the ceremony to honor the Anzacs and not to hear the hecklers.
Following the incident, political leaders and the RSL ( Returned and Services League) condemned the actions of the disruptors. The accused individuals are representing themselves in the court hearing.
Today, Mr. Hersant mentioned that he would rely on “the implied right of political communication” as part of his defense. Mr. Bull added that “political communication is just that. It can’t be offensive.”
Mr. Lomax’s lawyer, Sam Norton, argued that none of the video footage would show his client “saying or doing anything that could amount to the offences to which he is charged.”
Prosecutors plan to call up to 12 witnesses for the case, which is scheduled to last five days.
In addition to the current charges, Mr. Hersant, Mr. Bull, and Mr. Nelson are also facing allegations related to an alleged attack on Camp Sovereignty, an Indigenous site in Melbourne.
In 2024, Mr. Hersant became the first Victorian to be found guilty of making a Nazi salute in public. He received a one-month jail sentence after losing an appeal against the conviction.
Mr. Hersant and fellow neo-Nazi leader Thomas Sewell were also convicted for violent disorder after attacking hikers in a state park in 2021.
