New Liberal leader Sussan Ley has offered her ‘simple’ and straightforward view on Welcome to Country ceremonies.
Even though some commentators had urged the Liberals to drop the ‘culture wars’, Ms Ley was comfortable answering when asked if she agreed with former leader Peter Dutton who said the Indigenous ceremonies were ‘overdone’.
It became a national talking point during the last week of the election campaign after a Welcome to Country ceremony during Melbourne‘s Anzac Day dawn service was booed.
‘With respect to Welcome to Country, it’s simple: if it’s meaningful, if it matters, if it resonates, then it’s in the right place,’ Ms Ley said.
‘As Environment Minister and Health Minister I listened carefully and participated in Welcome to Country ceremonies that were all of those things.
‘If it is done in a way that is ticking a box on a Teams meeting then I don’t think it is relevant.
‘It actually diminishes the value of what it is and it’s important that we understand that.’
Newly-elected Liberal Party leader Sussan Ley (pictured with her deputy, Ted O’Brien) was asked whether she agreed with former leader Peter Dutton ‘s claim that the Indigenous ceremonies were ‘overdone’
It became a national talking point during the last week of the election campaign after a Welcome to Country ceremony during Melbourne ‘s Anzac Day dawn service was booed (pictured: A Welcome to Country is conducted prior to the Rugby league Women’s State of Origin game one match between Queensland and NSW at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on May 1)
The Anzac Day booing became the latest flashpoint in race relations, with a veteran telling a Channel Nine reporter it was a ‘slap in the face’ for those who have served their country in battle to now find they are being treated as guests to be welcomed.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said he thought the ceremonies were ‘overdone’, later clarifying that he did not think they were appropriate on Anzac Day.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese poured scorn on those who interrupted the Dawn Services, and made a pointed Acknowledgment of Country message when giving his victory speech on election night.
It was met with raucous cheers from gathered Labor supporters, indicating how the ceremonies had been drawn into the heart of the country’s political divide.