Australia's PM Candidate Slams Overdone Aboriginal Welcomes

The opposition leader of Australia, Peter Dutton, has stated that Indigenous "Welcome to Country" ceremonies have been exaggerated and should not take place during sporting events or military memorials.

Short ceremonies have turned into a customary way in Australia for inaugurating events and paying homage to the original custodians of the land—but on Friday, an Aboriginal elder conducting such a ceremony faced boos from a small section of the audience.

The event triggered widespread public outrage and was criticized by the nation's leadership. However, Dutton stated that he believes such traditions ought to be reserved solely for important occasions.

If elected on Saturday, May 3rd, he has stated his intention to alter how the nation recognizes its Indigenous history.

On Friday, Bunurong Elder Uncle Mark Brown faced jeers when he officially greeted the gathering at a ceremony commemorating Anzac Day, which is observed nationally to honor Australia’s military personnel.

Local news outlets have stated that convicted Neo-Nazis were part of those who jeered. A 26-year-old individual was asked to exit the Shrine of Remembrance and will likely face charges for offensive behavior, as per statements from Victoria Police.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese swiftly denounced the incident as a shameful act of "cowardice," whereas Dutton emphasized that individuals ought to "show respect" for Welcome to Country ceremonies.

Even so, Dutton, who leads the conservative Liberal-National coalition, has formerly referred to this practice as "virtue signaling." During the last leaders’ debate on Sunday, he mentioned that there is an impression within the Australian community that these rituals have become excessive.

This diminishes the importance of the tradition and creates division within the nation, he contended.

Albanese stated that each organization could determine for itself whether to begin events with a Welcome to Country ceremony, though he emphasized that such protocols were essential for showing respect.

When asked for clarification during an interview on Monday morning, Dutton specified instances where he believed the ceremonies would be fitting—such as at the start of a parliamentary term.

"Listening to a lot of veterans in the space, Anzac Day is about our veterans... I think the majority view would be that they don't want it on that day," he said.

According to the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, more than 5,000 Indigenous Australians fought in both World War I and World War II.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals boast a rich and illustrious legacy of service and dedication to this nation,” stated the co-chairs of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria — an autonomous and democratically selected group representing traditional custodians — in reaction to the event.

In 2023, as the opposition leader, Dutton played a crucial role in the rejection of the Voice to Parliament referendum. This proposal aimed at acknowledging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the constitution while also setting up an advisory council for these communities within parliament.

If elected, he has stated that he would exclude the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags from official press conferences conducted by the Australian government.