WA Liberals support motion to scrap Welcome to Country and exclude Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags
The motion passed at the WA Liberal state council on Saturday also included excluding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags from appearing at press conferences involving the Prime Minister, ABC News has reported.
A motion to scrap the net zero by 2050 target has also reportedly been passed by the party.
ABC News understands the motions were passed with a significant show of support.
The meeting comes amid a week that has seen the place of Acknowledgement of Country ceremonies within parliamentary proceedings heavily debated following a protest staged in the Senate.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and all three other One Nation senators turned their backs during the ceremony on Tuesday at the opening of parliament.
Ms Hanson, who has been vocal about her opposition to the ceremonies, has turned her back to the acknowledgment previously - but the rest of the party joining in made the incident one of the most significant protests of its kind to be staged in the chamber.
Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Michaelia Cash then took aim at Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong in the upper house on Thursday for having 'sought to dismiss" Indigenous Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price's stance on Welcome to Country.
Ms Price said during the Senate session she was "sick to death" of Indigenous heritage being 'objectified" and used as a "political token".
In response, Ms Wong then urged Ms Price to heed the words of Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, who is more supportive of Acknowledgement of Country ceremonies.
The move by the Foreign Minister triggered a fiery speech by Ms Cash, which referred to Ms Price's past and upbringing.
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WA Liberals support motion to scrap Welcome to Country and exclude Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags
The Western Australian Liberal Party has backed a motion to reduce Welcome to Country ceremonies following a private meeting. The motion passed at the WA Liberal state council on Saturday also included excluding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags from appearing at press conferences involving the Prime Minister, ABC News has reported. A motion to scrap the net zero by 2050 target has also reportedly been passed by the party. ABC News understands the motions were passed with a significant show of support. The meeting comes amid a week that has seen the place of Acknowledgement of Country ceremonies within parliamentary proceedings heavily debated following a protest staged in the Senate. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and all three other One Nation senators turned their backs during the ceremony on Tuesday at the opening of parliament. Ms Hanson, who has been vocal about her opposition to the ceremonies, has turned her back to the acknowledgment previously - but the rest of the party joining in made the incident one of the most significant protests of its kind to be staged in the chamber. Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Michaelia Cash then took aim at Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong in the upper house on Thursday for having 'sought to dismiss" Indigenous Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price's stance on Welcome to Country. Ms Price said during the Senate session she was "sick to death" of Indigenous heritage being 'objectified" and used as a "political token". In response, Ms Wong then urged Ms Price to heed the words of Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, who is more supportive of Acknowledgement of Country ceremonies. The move by the Foreign Minister triggered a fiery speech by Ms Cash, which referred to Ms Price's past and upbringing.
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Michaelia Cash says Sussan Ley has ‘full support' despite different stance on Welcome to Country ceremonies
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Councils urge state support as mounting legal bills from Native Title cases push regional budgets to breaking point
Dozens of Queensland councils are calling for urgent financial support as they grapple with the high costs of Native Title claims, some of which have dragged on for decades. There are currently 38 Native Title claims active across the state, including one in the Torres Strait that's been lodged for 24 years, placing mounting pressure on already stretched local government budgets. While many claims are uncontested, others, particularly those affecting populated areas and public spaces, have forced councils into lengthy and expensive negotiations. Redland City Council has spent over $2 million of ratepayer funds attempting to clarify how the extensive Quandamooka Coast claim could affect the 1300 land parcels within its jurisdiction. That figure is set to climb as a four-week Federal Court hearing looms later this year. 'Council has advocated to the Australian Government and Queensland Government for greater clarity and transparency surrounding Native Title claims, particularly where the claimant seeks exclusive possession of local government-controlled reserves, facilities, and community use areas,' a spokeswoman said. 'Having this clarity is important for the whole community, including Quandamooka peoples, so it can be fully understood where native title rights and interests can be exercised." According to the Courier, some 80 parcels of Redlands land are potentially affected, including key public areas such as Cleveland Cemetery, the Redland Performing Arts Centre, and popular reserves at Wellington Point and Cleveland. 'The Australian Government revoked funding to parties responding to native title claims, including local governments, while funding for parties making Native Title claims has continued,' the spokeswoman added. Native Title law recognises Indigenous Australians' traditional rights to land and waters but does not apply to private land. In recent years, groups such as the Kabi Kabi people have won non-exclusive rights over significant areas in processes that often span decades. Senator Pauline Hanson has now joined the call for support, saying small regional councils are being crushed under the financial strain. 'These claims are often very complex and can take years to resolve, resulting in huge legal costs for respondents. It's simply not fair,' she said. 'It's a burden that few, if any, regional Queensland councils can bear.' Queensland's Local Government Minister, Ann Leahy, said the state is working to ease the pressure on councils, but stopped short of confirming any new funding would be allocated to help with legal costs. 'While Labor walked away from supporting councils for a decade, the Crisafulli government is helping reduce red tape and costs to ensure they can deliver for their communities,' she said.
