By Laura Frykberg
The Australian Returned Services League has decided to remove the anthem God Save the Queen from Melbourne's ANZAC day dawn service.
The move has outraged Kiwi monarchists who say it's offensive and disrespectful to World War 1 veterans.
“I think it's disrespectful to the Queen, it's disrespectful to the war veterans and the general public,” says Noel Cox of the New Zealand Monarchist League.
“It is, after all, an anthem you would expect on a formal occasion.”
Under New Zealand law, God Save the Queen and God Defend New Zealand are both our anthems.
Officials told 3 News services around the country can use either or both – something that Mr Cox is unhappy about.
He says God Save the Queen has historic roots that other anthems can't compete with.
“I think God Save the Queen is one of the best known pieces of music in the world, more than God Save New Zealand or Advance Australia Fair,” Mr Cox says.
With upcoming ANZAC day services in Wellington looking to sing both – New Zealand isn't looking to follow in our neighbour’s footsteps anytime soon.
3 News
source: newshub archive
