‘Value for Money’: Labor Defends Spending Nearly $500,000 on ‘Welcome to Country’ Ceremonies

FOI records obtained by James Stevens reveal government agencies spent $452,953 on Welcome to Country ceremonies in the 2022-2024 financial years.
‘Value for Money’: Labor Defends Spending Nearly $500,000 on ‘Welcome to Country’ Ceremonies
An indigenous Australian during the round three NRL match between Newcastle Knights and Melbourne Storm at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, Australia on March 24, 2024. Scott Gardiner/Getty Images
Naziya Alvi Rahman
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The Albanese Labor government has defended its spending on Aboriginal “Welcome to Country” ceremonies, dismissing the federal opposition’s criticism as an attempt to stoke a “culture war.”

The comments come after the release of new data showing the government has spent nearly half a million dollars on the ceremonies over the past two years.

Naziya Alvi Rahman
Naziya Alvi Rahman
Author
Naziya Alvi Rahman is a Canberra-based journalist who covers political issues in Australia. She can be reached at [email protected].