8 January 2025

Welcome to Country costs blowout, says Coalition

| Chris Johnson
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Aunty Violet Sheridan

Aunty Violet Sheridan delivering a Welcome to Country at the 2023 John Gorton Campus car park sod turn. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

The Federal Opposition has used the approach of Australia Day events around the nation to highlight how much the public service is spending on Welcome to Country ceremonies.

The Coalition obtained records through Freedom of Information requests that revealed what it describes as the “staggering cost of Welcome to Country ceremonies” across Commonwealth government departments.

More than $450,000 was spent by 21 government departments on Welcome to Country ceremonies in the past two years, according to the information released by the Opposition.

The Coalition’s spokesman on government waste, James Stevens, noted that among the biggest spenders on the list is Anthony Albanese’s own department, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C).

During the period, it spent $41,801 on Welcome to Country ceremonies, which cost an average of $1,266 per ceremony.

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“While there is a place for traditional Welcome to Country ceremonies, taxpayers should not be forking out half a million dollars for them,” Mr Stevens said.

“When added to the enormous amounts state and local governments spend on these ceremonies, it’s become a multi-million-dollar industry.

“Welcomes to Country should be genuine and authentic, not a lucrative income stream at the taxpayers’ expense.

“Spending millions on ‘welcome’ ceremonies does nothing to address the challenges facing Indigenous Australians.

“This money could be better spent on delivering real solutions to Indigenous communities.”

Region has approached PM&C asking if there are stipulated requirements and/or protocols across the Australian Public Service regulating when Welcome to Country ceremonies should be held and how much should be spent on them.

An answer was sought as to whether there is an overall directive or if each agency makes its own decision regarding Welcome to Country ceremonies.

PM&C is yet to respond.

The Department of Industry Science and Resources, similar to some other agencies, lists its own guidelines under the heading of Protocols of Respect on its website.

“Our department encourages staff to show awareness and respect for the traditional owners of the land through a Welcome to Country or an Acknowledgement of Country,” it states.

“A Welcome to Country is a traditional protocol that should be presented to welcome people onto Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands.

“It can only be performed by a Traditional Owner of the lands on which you are meeting.

“An Acknowledgement of Country can be informal or formal. It should be tailored for purpose. The type of acknowledgement undertaken should be appropriate to the nature and size of the event or material.

“An Acknowledgement of Country can be conducted by any person and is done as a mark of respect.”

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Meanwhile, a focus on inclusiveness and accessibility will be highlighted at hundreds of Australia Day community events in every state and territory this year.

More than $10 million in federal financial support has been allocated for them. Fixed grants of $10,000 are available for each event, and an additional $5000 is available for each event that includes significant Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander elements.

Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and for the Public Service Patrick Gorman said Australia Day is a time for all Australians to reflect on and celebrate the rich tapestry of our ancient, diverse and multicultural nation.

“It is a day to acknowledge the past and pay respect to First Nations peoples’ survival, resilience and enduring culture,” he said.

“It is also an opportunity to embrace the many cultures and backgrounds that make up the Australian story.”

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HiddenDragon8:53 pm 09 Jan 25

The tokenistic ubiquity of too many of these ceremonies is reminiscent (for those old enough to recall) of standing in the cinema for “God Save the Queen” (or King) – but at least the latter did not require baksheesh.

…”did not require baksheesh”. Mate, you’re obviously blissfully ignorant of the cost of royal visits over the past few decades. Hate to have to tell you but much “baksheesh” is required to maintain the royals.

Ken Heffernan7:44 pm 09 Jan 25

Perhaps it is time for the Coalition to remove itself to another land that does not have traditional custodians. Antarctica comes to mind.

When you’re at work (Public Service) and at a presentation with the big boss present and every speaker does an acknowledgement of country it gets a bit much. Especially after the respected light skinned indigenous employee did a proper welcome to country at the start, it becomes monotonous and pointless.

And how much did the Liberal Party waste on paying fees to large consulting firms for work never done? (People in glass houses …….)

Another wedge issue by the Liberal Party. They should try coming up with some policies that would actually benefit people and society.

Don’t care what money has been spent, can we just stop it , so ,so over it .

Nonsense. What we’re spending too much on is American and UK ship building jobs – A$20m a day – for mythical subs we are unlikely to ever see or be able to crew. Divisive control the divisive party.

Agreed. Complete beat up. $200k a year is nothing. The grubby opposition politician makes double that and doesn’t provide a single smoking ceremony.

Smoke and mirrors.

Put it in perspective. $450,000 is two employees for a year.
Now look at the what was it $179,000,000 in rent over the next few years for office space to accommodate Veterans Affairs?

That’s a bigger waste of money when these departments could be rent free in government owned buildings.

YES. The money should go to Aboriginal activists fighting for justice for the survivors of brutal invasion and attempted genocide

You mean lawyers?

Oh please can we move on, sick of the the wo is me stuff

It’s a hell of a lot cheaper than paying rent for the land! Or compensation for taking it.

The coalition is always whingeing at any support or money given to anyone who is not one of their wealthy mates. After all they can’t capitalise on it for themselves.

As for the claim that it could be going on money to support indigenous people, that is exactly what it is doing directly, rather than via a middleman who does not deliver much of value to indigenous people.

I would be interested to see a comparison of the cost for an entertainer who sings the National Anthem at events. I suspect a lot more than the cost of a Welcome to Country.

Capital Retro2:01 pm 08 Jan 25

The National Anthem (as horrible as it is) is for all Australians.
The welcome to country is for some Australians.

No mate it’s for all Australians and is a tradition going back thousands of years when people were travelling to different parts of the land we now call Australia. It’s welcoming people to country. If you’re interested there’s more info at reconciliation.org.au explaining it.

Agree CR, the National Anthem is fingernails down a blackboard

It’s a con that was developed in the mid 70’s. It’s a bit like those stickers & t shirts “Always was, always will be Aboriginal land” which is self evidently false.

People want to know how much the ACT Government and funded community groups also spend on this.

I’d be keen to know how much of this went to “Event Organisers”

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