Editorial: Australians are proud of how they treat their retired servicemen and women. That’s why the RSLWA’s divisive policy needs to be scrapped

Australians are proud of their defence forces and want to know they are looked after when they hang up their uniforms. The Returned and Services League is the most significant of the organisations which address veterans’ welfare. The RSLWA has been doing a good job in recent years in aiming to modernise, and to recruit and look after younger veterans. But its move to set down rules opposing use of welcome to country ceremonies and the flying of the Aboriginal flag at Remembrance or Anzac Day services has set backs its cause. Its commemorations policy states: “RSLWA will not include welcome to country and/or acknowledgement of country in RSLWA-conducted commemorations on Anzac Day or Remembrance Day.” The policy omits the Aboriginal flag from a list of flags recognised by the RSLWA on the two commemorative days and states all content, except for the New Zealand national anthem, including The Ode should be read or sung in English. RSLWA chief executive John McCourt said some members had come to the board saying they did not think the Ode being read out in Noongar last year had been appropriate. “We believe that singling out a particular, (but) very valued culture, detracts from the overall commemoration of Anzac Day and Remembrance Day that is for all Australians regardless of culture and background,” he said. Mr McCourt said that given Anzac Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies were often done in conjunction with local governments, the RSL would not stop other organisations or speakers from performing acknowledgement of country. But Noongar groups, Premier Mark McGowan, WA Governor Kim Beazley and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Wyatt called on the RSLWA to reconsider. The policy is a slap in the face for Aboriginal soldiers and their families. It is out of step with community sentiment and created a problem where none existed. It should be scrapped.