Television Interview, Weekend Sunrise

SUBJECT: Anzac Day commemorations

MATT SHIRVINGTON, HOST: And standing by to join us is Minister of Defence and Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles. Good morning to you. Thanks for joining us. Of course, you represent the men and women that are serving right around this country and the world as well, and the sacrifice that they've made prior. How are you feeling on a day like this?

RICHARD MARLES, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: Well, good morning, Shirvo and Nat. It's a very special day, and I feel an enormous sense of pride in the way in which Australians on this day take time out to give thanks to those who have served in the past, the sacrifice that's been made, but to those who are serving today. And one of the really lucky and privileged things I get to do is to spend time with the men and women of our Defence Force. And there's a thousand of them on deployment right now around the world, helping people in- helping those in the support of Ukraine, helping in the defence of countries of the Gulf like the UAE. And it is so good to see Australians come out in such large numbers to say thank you for their efforts because they very much deserve it.

NATALIE BARR, HOST: Yeah, interesting, those numbers. A thousand on deployment right now. It's easy to forget how many men and women are serving right at this moment. Richard Marles, we saw booing at at least two of the services overnight at Dawn Services at Martin Place, and also Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance. How disappointing is that for you to see?

MARLES: Look, I find it really disappointing. As I understand it, some of that booing is in response to Indigenous servicemen and women playing a didgeridoo, doing a Welcome to the Country. I mean, these are fundamentally, respectful acts, and to boo is so disrespectful, and particularly on this day. And I think we should remember the contribution that Indigenous Australians have made to the Defence Force. This year we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong, the major battle in the Korean War. At that was Captain Reg Saunders, and he is Australia's first indigenous officer. And so, we should acknowledge their service, and we should fundamentally show respect on this day.

SHIRVINGTON: Absolutely. Richard Marles, thank you for your time.                                                                                           

ENDS