What you said about Welcome to Country after Peter Dutton comments

Welcome to Country continues to be one of the most hotly debated topics in Australia – but many have already made up their mind on the subject. HAVE YOUR SAY

Welcome to Country continues to be one of the most hotly debated topics in Australia – but many have already made up their mind on the subject.

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, federal opposition leader Peter Dutton and National Party leader David Littleproud have all previously indicated support for a winding back of the tradition.

Mr Dutton has also expressed some reservations over Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country ceremonies, taking aim during the leaders’ debate.

“It’s a respectful way to acknowledge the Indigenous heritage of our country,” he told 2GB radio.

“But I do get the point that when you go to a function and there’s an MC who I think appropriately can do recognition, you then get the next five or 10 speakers who each do their own Acknowledgement to Country, and frankly, I think it detracts from the significance of the statement that’s being made.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton speaks during the 7NEWS "The Final Showdown" leaders debate on Day 30 of the 2025 federal election campaign, Sydney. Picture: Lukas Coch/POOL/ via NewsWire

Senator Jacinta Price has described the tradition as “divisive”.

“There is no problem with acknowledging our history, but rolling out these performances before every sporting event or public gathering is definitely divisive,” she said.

In an online poll asking about Welcome to Country, about 95 per cent voted that it’s overused.

Readers were quick to pile in, many claiming it is dividing instead of uniting.

Others, though, said it has a time and place, while some remain confused.

See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>

WHAT YOU SAID

I’m fine with it

Micko

Welcome to country is NOT a welcome to Australia, it is the traditional owner welcoming visitors to their traditional land. Its also not an acknowledgement of country so peeps need to get that straight before making sweeping statements.

The welcome is for visitors visiting a place. Duh no one said people that think they are perfect and others aren’t were smart.

Brett

It’s a pity so many people misunderstand what a welcome to country is. You are not being welcomed to your own country but to the traditional country of the areas Aboriginal tribe. Nothing to do with being welcomed to Australia

Geoff2

What has Welcome to County got to do with the election? There’s no law requiring it. No government mandate. It’s purely voluntary.

Who Anthony Albanese handles Welcomes to Country could be crucial. Picture: Lukas Coch/POOL/ via NewsWire

I’m confused

Ole Al

How can you have a so called “Welcome To Country” ceremony when going to a sport’s game!

Palindrome

It was done for the first time in 1973.

It was continued in the 80s and has been around for over 40 years gaining more and more traction as time has gone by.

It has only been in the past 10 or so years that the anti-brigade has reared its head.

Why do you think that is the case?

E & V

Welcome to country for those who fought & died for the freedoms we all enjoy. Just seems wrong to me.

Dean

We neither need the welcome to country or the national anthem at most football games – just keep both for the grand final.

Aunty Joy Murphy AO, Wurundjeri elder, hosts a Welcome To Country. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

Time for WTC to go

Maesmore

Welcome to country wasn’t heard of before Albanese came to Office. His divisive unwanted Voice Referendum changed all that. Because of Albanese’s political agenda we are now made to be welcomed to our own country where we were born and raised and paid taxes all our working life. I for one am well and truly over WTC … it’s an insult.

Bystander😎

There is no place for welcome to country ceremonies at an Anzac Day service. And only the Australian flag is required please.

Jesse

Whoever gets rid of welcome to country gets my vote

Terry

Stop paying the WTC fees and the demand will stop.

Christine

We are all completely sick of Welcome to Country. It means nothing as totally overused.

KenHectic

Welcome to the country ceremonies as pointless. The Aboriginal people arrived here from somewhere, just like the rest of us, they didn’t emerge here, so why do I have to be welcomed to my own country?

Originally published as What you said about Welcome to Country after Peter Dutton comments