Don't go to Gallipoli without ticket: Govt

People who missed out on tickets to the dawn service at Gallipoli next year are being advised to avoid the area, as access will be tightly controlled.

People attend a dawn service at Gallipoli

Australians are being advised to avoid Gallipoli next year on Anzac Day unless they have a ticket. (AAP)

Australians are being advised to avoid travelling to Gallipoli next year around Anzac Day unless they have a ticket to the official centenary event.

About 50,000 people entered the ballot to attend the commemoration in Turkey, but only 8000 tickets are available for Australians and 2000 to New Zealanders.

Senator Michael Ronaldson, minister assisting the prime minister for the Centenary of Anzac said those lucky enough to get tickets would be notified by March 31.

But those who missed out are being advised not to head to Gallipoli, because travel to the historic site is likely to be restricted and they risk being shut out.

Senator Ronaldson says it is vital the safety and "dignity and solemnity" of the event is maintained.

"For those Australians without tickets to the dawn service on 25 April next year, the Australian government strongly recommends against travel to the Gallipoli peninsula around this time," he told the Senate on Tuesday.

Access would be carefully and strictly managed.

The centenary commemorations will not be confined to Gallipoli, with the federal government also organising a dawn service at the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux in France.

Other official events will be held in towns and cities across Australia, and at major battle sites in Europe and Papua New Guinea.

The government is urging corporate Australia to "dig deep" and donate to the Anzac Centenary public fund, which will help finance projects including a series of interactive travelling exhibitions.

Senator Ronaldson has turned down a number of requests in recent months from organisations wanting to use the word Anzac for official merchandise.

"I can assure all Australians ... I'll only approve merchandise for sale where it is approved and dignified," he said.


2 min read

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Updated

Source: AAP


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