Welcome to Country debate erupts into heated argument on ABC’s Q and A
Debate over Welcome to Country ceremonies collapsed into acrimony on the ABC’s Q and A on Monday night, with accusations of ‘gutter politics’ spilling out.
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Debate over the appropriate place of Welcome to Country ceremonies threw the ABC’s flagship Q and A program into acrimony on Monday night, with accusations of “gutter politics” and “straw man” arguments quickly emerging in the heated exchanges between panellists.
Audience member Peter asked how the debate around the ceremonies could be resolved “amicably” and “in the interest of all parties concerned” following days of campaign trail division between Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton on the matter.
Liberal MP Paul Fletcher said the country needed to recognise the “distinctive place” of Indigenous Australians but suggested many across society felt there were now too many ceremonies.
The issue has escalated in the federal election after neo Nazis booed a Welcome to Country from Bunurong man Uncle Mark Brown at Melbourne’s Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Shrine of Remembrance.
Both sides of politics reacted with anger to the scenes and condemned the disruptive behaviour.
But Mr Dutton has since said the ceremonies were losing their significance because of overuse and has suggested they might not be appropriate for Anzac Day services.
On Monday night, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek backed the ceremonies on Anzac Day and said acknowledging the service of Indigenous Australians in the military was “perfectly appropriate”.
Mr Fletcher said veterans should determine the matter.
When Ms Plibersek shot back and said he was speaking as though “we don’t have Indigenous veterans”, Mr Fletcher accused her of deploying “straw man rhetoric”, or suggesting she was not engaging directly with his position.
“I can tell you the role of Indigenous people in defending Australia over many conflicts has been very significant,” he said.
“Nobody is contesting that for a second.”
Greens leader Adam Bandt accused Mr Dutton of “gutter politics” on the issue
“It’s gutter politics from an Opposition leader whose campaign is in free fall and he’s starting to punch down,” he said.
“Peter Dutton was the master of misinformation during the (Voice) referendum which is what was referred to there, spreading all sorts of lies about what was going to happen.
“He’s playing from the Trump play book as his campaign is in free fall. Punching down. Playing from the Trump play book and we’ll call it out.”
Abbot’s Desperate Phone Call
In a discussion around how the major parties might respond to a hung parliament, Mr Bandt revealed former Liberal prime minister and climate change sceptic Tony Abbott had called him after the 2010 election to try and gain his support.
“He (Abbott) rang me,” Mr Bandt told the panel.
“He said, ‘Hi, Adam, it’s Tony Abbott here. I’ve always considered myself a bit of an environmentalist. I think we should talk’.”
The Q and An audience erupted with laughter.
“It was a very short conversation and Peter Dutton would get the same response this time,” Mr Bandt said.
“Everyone says they’re not going to talk but I would be astounded if they refused to respect the parliament that the Australian people select.”
Originally published as Welcome to Country debate erupts into heated argument on ABC’s Q and A
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