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‘Before Cook’: Indigenous Ceremony at Football Final Reignites Debate

A slightly unusual Welcome to Country ceremony before the AFL semi-final last weekend has led One Nation leader Pauline Hanson to repeat her call to ban it.
‘Before Cook’: Indigenous Ceremony at Football Final Reignites Debate
Brendan Kerin performs Welcome to Country for Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2023 at Carriageworks in Sydney, Australia, on May 15, 2023. Mackenzie Sweetnam/Getty Images for AAFW
Rex Widerstrom
Rex Widerstrom
9/16/2024|Updated: 9/17/2024
0:00

A traditional Welcome to Country ceremony performed before the AFL semi-final between GWS Giants and Brisbane Lions at Sydney’s Engie Stadium on Saturday night has caused debate.

Aboriginal Elder Brendan Kerin deviated from the usual format, leading One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson to renew her call for the practice to be ended.

Rex Widerstrom
Rex Widerstrom
Author
Rex Widerstrom is a New Zealand-based reporter with over 40 years of experience in media, including radio and print. He is currently a presenter for Hutt Radio.
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Australia
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Pauline Hanson
Aboriginal Australians
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