Nightclubs with Anzac-themed ads may face fine of up to $51,000

Soldiers walk during a dawn service to mark the 100th anniversary of ANZAC. Reuters/Philippe Wojazer

Some nightclubs in Sydney are in hot water for pushing for Anzac-themed parties. The government said they will be looking into ads used by clubs, which could face a fine of up to $51,000 or 12 months’ jail time for the individuals responsible for promoting events that feature models sporting military clothing among others.

As News Corp Australia tells it, night clubs such as The Watershed, The Colombian and Stonewall Hotel are facing accusations of “trashing the memory of fallen diggers.” The poster for Stonewall Hotel's "Anzac Day - Annual Uniform Party,” for instance, displays a shirtless male model wearing a sailor's cap and pants. Colombian Hotel's "Anzac Week" line-up features a DJ on "Anzac Eve” and "sexy caged boys.” Watershed used photos of Rihanna and The Weeknd clad in military attire.

NSW Veteran Affairs Minister David Elliott has expressed concern about the way Anzac is used for commercial purposes, saying it is utilised without any obvious consideration to veterans and war widows. He assured that some clubs will be referred to the Commonwealth for investigation and are likely to be prosecuted for “unauthorised use of the Anzac name.”

Elliott vowed that as long as he remains the minister, he is not going to permit individuals or organisations to utilise the day when the majority commemorate the “sacrifice of 100,000 fellow countrymen and women in any way that disrespects their legacy.” James Brown, vice-president of the North Bondi RSL, also condemned clubs for “trivialising the memories of fallen soldiers.” Former RSL President Rod White described the advertisements “unethical” and “shocking.”

May not a breach of the law

A 1920 law states that permission from the Veteran Affairs Minister is required before a person or organisation use the term “Anzac” for commercial purposes. News Corp reports that the government will be checking into some club’s promotional materials and investigate any potential breaches.

Catherine Bond of the University of New South Wales recognised that there are laws that restrict the use of “Anzac” in the Down Under, but told The New Daily that there were some exceptions which were introduced in 1979. Bond, whose research centres on historical intellectual property issues such as the use of “Anzac,” says it is possible that these nightclubs’ promotions are not a breach of the restrictions. “While there are elements to the advertising that might not meet community approval, it probably isn’t a breach of the law,” she pointed.