A transtasman war of words has broken out, just days before Aussies and Kiwis mark Anzac Day, after a New Zealand journalist labelled the Diggers lazy "bludgers'' and "thieves'' in a radio broadcast.
Queensland RSL chairman Terry Meehan told Australian media he was outraged by the comments made by NBR journalist Jock Anderson and freelance journalist Josie McNaught on Radio New Zealand last week.
And while one of the journalists stands behind his comments, the other says she has been misquoted in Australian media.
The pair were part of a panel discussing a book by former Australian army officer and Department of Veterans Affairs historian Graham Wilson last Thursday.
The book, Bully Beef and Balderdash, set out to debunk many Australian Gallipoli myths.
In the book, Wilson said many myths had been borne out of the Anzac military campaign at Gallipoli, and that these had gone on to shape Australia's national identity.
''We were not a disciplined fighting force like the British, or even the New Zealanders, and had an appalling discipline record,'' he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"In terms of fighting skill, the Turks we fought at Gallipoli were much better soldiers and it wasn't until 1917 that the Australians became an effective fighting force.''
During the radio discussion, Anderson said "Australian soldiers have been reluctant at the best of times" before adding "They've been essentially lazy bludgers, some of them, and excellent black marketeers, scavengers, poachers and thieves''.
He conceded that the Diggers had their moments on the battlefield "but there is no way they can hold a candle, in my opinion, to the Kiwis''.
RSL Queensland chairman Terry Meehan told the Sunday Mail the comments were disappointing and insulting.
"The use of the term 'bludgers' I find outrageous,'' he said.
He said he had never heard Australians talk that way about New Zealanders.
Anderson today said he stood behind his comments.
"I'm in a way flattered that the Australians, particularly Queenslanders, listen to the radio.''
Though he did point out the wider context of the discussion; they were talking about an Australian book which had come out and debunked a lot of the myths which surrounded the Australian soldier as a "bushman, 6 feet four, jutting jaw, big lanky guy''.
He supported what Wilson said in his book.
"The Kiwis were great front line fighting men, and in particular in World War I, what they then called the native contingent, which was made up of Maori...they were fierce fighters who showed no mercy in the face of the enemy, the Aussies, on the other hand, were the ones, if you had an Aussie group or company camped near you you knew you would eat well.''
Throughout the generations the Australians had shown themselves to be bad sports with thin skin, he said.
"The whole myth of the Aussie as the decent 'Jack's as good as his master, fair go mate', sort of thing is all myth, it's all rubbish. That's what we were talking about.''
However, McNaught said she was misquoted in the story and her comments were taken out of context.
The Sunday Mail reported she said she "was 'so sick of hearing that ridiculous cliche' that Australia's national identity was forged on the beaches of Gallipoli''.
But McNaught said her comments related to New Zealand, not Australia.
"I'd stand by the cliche comment, but it was made about New Zealand, not about Australia, I wouldn't have a clue about Australia, and it was in the context that the settlers of New Zealand, Maori and Pakeha, are our identity.''
She said that since the story went online she had had "vile'' emails and phone calls from people.
New Zealand Returned Services Association chief executive Stephen Clarke said he thought the comments were probably flippant, but were unnecessary.
"I think if I was talking to Terry I'd say this was one journalist's perspective...and that part of our relationship is the ribbing, but deep down, especially within the service community, there's a great deal of respect in both countries.''
However, it was always healthy to have debate about the two country's history, he said.
Other Aussies also reacted angrily, with one comment on the Daily Mail website telling New Zealanders to dig themselves out of their own earthquake next time.
"Why be surprised the Kiwis no absolutely nothing about patriotism they will will always be the most backwards nation on earth and they know it and they will always be bitter because of it!!!!,'' reader AaronF said.
Lowie of Newcastle said: "We know the truth, our diggers are not bludgers,NZ are just sour people.''
NikRaf of Australia posted: "next time there is a earthquake in new zealand they can use the New Zealand Defence Force's to dig them selves out. but the Australian people are not that small like this panellists of journalist on New Zealand's government-funded Radio National are''.
Simonious of Sydney suggested Anzac Day should be renamed Aac day and "forget about the bloody Kiwis''.
New Zealanders also took offence at the comments, with many emailing a TVNZ online forum.
"I am not surprised they are outraged. A formal apology should be issued immediately. This is a great insult to brave men, and their families, who suffered terribly alongside NZers. The way we talk about Australians in sport and other pursuits is shameful and shows what an immature bunch we are. Its not big and its not clever. Grow up.'' Jameskilgour said.
And radar832004 commented "Any comments that devalue and disrespect any ANZAC is disgusting! Try living through what those brave men lived through then judge but remember they volunteered for it.''
April 25, Anzac Day, marks the anniversary of the landing of New Zealand and Australian soldiers the Anzacs on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915.
(EDS: Seeking comment from Radio New Zealand, Veteran Affairs Minister and Defence Minister)
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