Does Australia's culture of remembrance need updating?

In this episode of Late Night Live, host David Maher speaks with military historian Peter Stanley about the evolving nature of Australia's wartime commemoration, particularly focusing on Anzac Day. Stanley argues that the culture of remembrance, long rooted in mourning and Christian ritual, must adapt to Australia's increasingly diverse and secular society. He highlights how Anzac Day has transformed from a somber, quiet observance into a loud, celebratory event, disconnected from the lived experience of most Australians today. With fewer families having direct ties to war dead and a growing population of refugees and migrants who have experienced war firsthand, Stanley calls for a more inclusive approach that acknowledges 'other people's wars'—such as those of Sudanese, Afghan, and Iranian communities—as well as the frontier conflicts that shaped Australia's history. He criticizes the Australian War Memorial for resisting change, particularly in its slow and hesitant engagement with the frontier wars and its exclusion of non-Christian, non-military voices. The episode also raises urgent concerns about the desecration of the Gaza War Cemetery, questioning why Australia remains silent despite its deep investment in global war remembrance.