Australian news and politics recap: Dutton calls for respect for welcome to country after Anzac Day protests

Anthony Albanese again condemns, as Peter Dutton did earlier, the far-right protests that interrupted Anzac Day services in Melbourne and Perth yesterday.

The Prime Minister says mainstream politics needs to speak out against far-right figures and the rise of extremism that has the nation’s security agencies seriously concerned.

He also backs the Project Unity campaign that media companies including Seven West Media, publisher of this masthead, have launched uring people to stand up to hate.

“The fact that media organisations have come together to speak out against hate is fantastic,” Mr Albanese said.

“And I’ve spoken to media organisations about convening them after the election, if I’m successful, (to discuss) what way the government can play a role in supporting the campaign that’s supported by News, Nine, Seven… that is really important that occur.”

He says he would like the ABC to be part of the campaign too, once the election is over.

“We live in a multicultural community. We have a great society in Australia. We need to cherish it, nurture it, not take it for granted,” he said.