Latest news with #AcknowledgementofCountry
Sky News AU
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘I have had enough': One Nation leader fiercely defends party's protest of Welcome to Country in Senate
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has doubled down on a bold move during the opening of Parliament to protest the Acknowledgement of Country, unloading a fiery response to the suggestion that her party's protest was 'impolite'. The party leader 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. It also marked a dramatic start for newly elected One Nation Senators Warwick Stacey and Tyron Whittens, turning their backs in their first parliamentary session since being voted in. Speaking from Canberra on Wednesday evening, Ms Hanson was pressed by Sky News host Chris Kenny on the incident, with his question 'why be so impolite?' triggering a strongly worded tirade from the senator. 'I haven't just done it recently, and it wasn't the first time yesterday, I've been doing it for the past three years," Ms Hanson stated. She said the two new One Nation Senators to join her in the upper house shared her opinion, in that they had 'had a gutful' of acknowledgements regularly being done. 'I have had enough, and I do not want a Welcome to Country and to be disenfranchised from my own country that I was born here,' she told Chris Kenny. Kenny said he agreed the ceremony was 'overdone' but pushed back saying he thought it was a good initiative in certain circumstances, such as the opening of Parliament, adding 'it's just polite'. 'Sorry, Chris ... I'm past being polite,' she hit back. The party leader claimed the rituals were 'causing division' and said she was 'not turning my back on the Australian people'. Kenny then pressed further, questioning the Senator about recognising traditional owners of the land at the opening of Parliament, asking her 'how is that not just polite and inclusive and a general recognition of our country's shared history?' 'Chris, this is not about the opening of Parliament. This happens every morning that Parliament is sitting,' she replied. 'I'm turning my back on these policies and ideologies that are dividing our nation and the tokenism that's going on. 'I've been speaking about this for the last 30 years and look at the state of this country. It's in one hell of a bloody mess. I'm not pulling a stunt, I'm sticking to my values and my principles and what I believe in.' Meanwhile, One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts has claimed the party's constituents around the country have 'had a gutful' of the rituals, which he labelled 'token ceremonies'. 'They've had enough of being welcomed to their own country,' Mr Roberts told 2GB Sydney radio host Ben Fordham on Wednesday morning after being asked why the party turned their backs. 'And secondly, and very importantly, we care for Aboriginals. And what's happening with these token ceremonies is that they're ignoring the real plight of Aboriginals, which is real, and we care about that.' Mr Roberts also suggested One Nation would continue to stage a protest to the acknowledgement 'every day' in the Senate. Welcome to and Acknowledgements of Countries came under the microscope in the run-up to this year's federal election after former Opposition Leader Peter Dutton declared the ceremonies as being 'overdone'. The comment was made during a Sky News debate in April, held just two days after the controversial disruption of the Melbourne Anzac Day dawn service when attendees booed a Welcome to Country.
7NEWS
19 hours ago
- Politics
- 7NEWS
One Nation politicians turn backs on Acknowledgement of Country at parliament opening
A group of right-wing senators have been sharply criticised for turning their backs on the Acknowledgement of Country inside the federal parliament. The four One Nation politicians were responding to a statement of respect that was read out in the Senate chamber as part of the traditional ceremonial opening of parliament on Tuesday. Cabinet minister Clare O'Neil lashed the Pauline Hanson-led party, saying it was disappointing their action became a point of focus, despite the shows of unity earlier in the day during Welcome to Country ceremonies. 'It was disrespectful and rude and childish,' she told Seven on Wednesday. The opening of parliament was a day to celebrate the strength of Australia's democracy and recommit to working for Australia's citizens, O'Neil added. Nationals senator Bridge McKenzie said while it was up to the government to determine the ceremonies for the opening of parliament, and that she had listened respectfully to the acknowledgement, others had different perspectives. She also compared the One Nation silent protest to politicians who walk out of the chamber during the morning prayers and those who don't support the monarchy. 'The problem in a liberal democracy like ours is when we can't express different views,' she told Sunrise. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has described the Acknowledgement of Country as 'divisive' and 'increasingly forced'. But O'Neil said the party should still have treated all Australians with respect. 'Whatever your views about the Welcome to Country — we've got First Nations people who have been invited to come to parliament, to extend that hand of friendship and invite us and talk about 65,000 years of heritage that they bring to our beautiful, great country,' she said. 'To treat people that way on the first day of parliament, I think, it was absolutely appalling.' Welcome to Country ceremonies and land acknowledgements have been at the centre of a right-wing culture war after a group of neo-Nazis booed a Welcome to Country address during an Anzac Day dawn service in Melbourne earlier in 2025. Labor has backed Welcome to Country ceremonies, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday celebrating the tradition as a powerful way to begin the new parliament and reflect on Australia's history. Albanese also took a veiled swipe at former opposition leader Peter Dutton and some coalition MPs who branded Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country proclamations as divisive and overdone. 'Like a lot of the more positive things about our nation, we shouldn't take it for granted,' Albanese said, adding the ceremony was not controversial. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the ceremony 'set the tone as we re-commit ourselves to the taking of practical action to improve lives and expand opportunity for Indigenous Australians in every part of our great country'. Welcome to Country is conducted by Traditional Owners, while Acknowledgement of Country is a statement of respect for Traditional Owners and connection to land, which can be given by an Indigenous or non-Indigenous person.
The Advertiser
a day ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
One Nation turns its back on Acknowledgement of Country
A group of right-wing senators who turned their backs during an Acknowledgement of Country inside the federal parliament have been sharply criticised. The four One Nation politicians took the action in the Senate chamber when the statement of respect was read out as part of the traditional ceremonial opening of parliament on Tuesday. Cabinet minister Clare O'Neil lashed the Pauline Hanson-led party, saying it was disappointing their action became a point of focus, despite the shows of unity earlier in the day during Welcome to Country ceremonies. "It was disrespectful and rude and childish," she told Seven on Wednesday. The opening of parliament was a day to celebrate the strength of Australia's democracy and recommit to working for Australia's citizens, Ms O'Neil added. Nationals senator Bridge McKenzie said while it was up to the government to determine the ceremonies for the opening of parliament, and that she had listened respectfully to the acknowledgement, others had different perspectives. She also compared the One Nation silent protest to politicians who walk out of the chamber during the morning prayers and those who don't support the monarchy. "The problem in a liberal democracy like ours is when we can't express different views," she told Sunrise. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has claimed Acknowledgement of Country is "divisive" and "increasingly forced". But Ms O'Neil said the party still should have treated all Australians with respect. "Whatever your views about the Welcome to Country - we've got First Nations people who have been invited to come to parliament, to extend that hand of friendship and invite us and talk about 65,000 years of heritage that they bring to our beautiful, great country," she said. "To treat people that way on the first day of parliament, I think, it was absolutely appalling." Welcome to Country ceremonies and land acknowledgements have been at the centre of a right-wing culture war after a group of neo-Nazis booed a Welcome to Country address during an Anzac Day dawn service in Melbourne earlier in 2025. Labor has backed Welcome to Country ceremonies, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday celebrating the tradition as a powerful way to begin the new parliament and reflect on Australia's history. Mr Albanese also took a veiled swipe at the stance of former opposition leader Peter Dutton and some coalition MPs who branded Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country proclamations as divisive and overdone. "Like a lot of the more positive things about our nation, we shouldn't take it for granted," Mr Albanese said, adding the ceremony was not controversial. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the ceremony "set the tone as we re-commit ourselves to the taking of practical action to improve lives and expand opportunity for Indigenous Australians in every part of our great country". Welcome to Country is conducted by Traditional Owners, while Acknowledgement of Country is a statement of respect for Traditional Owners and connection to land, which can be given by an Indigenous or non-Indigenous person. A group of right-wing senators who turned their backs during an Acknowledgement of Country inside the federal parliament have been sharply criticised. The four One Nation politicians took the action in the Senate chamber when the statement of respect was read out as part of the traditional ceremonial opening of parliament on Tuesday. Cabinet minister Clare O'Neil lashed the Pauline Hanson-led party, saying it was disappointing their action became a point of focus, despite the shows of unity earlier in the day during Welcome to Country ceremonies. "It was disrespectful and rude and childish," she told Seven on Wednesday. The opening of parliament was a day to celebrate the strength of Australia's democracy and recommit to working for Australia's citizens, Ms O'Neil added. Nationals senator Bridge McKenzie said while it was up to the government to determine the ceremonies for the opening of parliament, and that she had listened respectfully to the acknowledgement, others had different perspectives. She also compared the One Nation silent protest to politicians who walk out of the chamber during the morning prayers and those who don't support the monarchy. "The problem in a liberal democracy like ours is when we can't express different views," she told Sunrise. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has claimed Acknowledgement of Country is "divisive" and "increasingly forced". But Ms O'Neil said the party still should have treated all Australians with respect. "Whatever your views about the Welcome to Country - we've got First Nations people who have been invited to come to parliament, to extend that hand of friendship and invite us and talk about 65,000 years of heritage that they bring to our beautiful, great country," she said. "To treat people that way on the first day of parliament, I think, it was absolutely appalling." Welcome to Country ceremonies and land acknowledgements have been at the centre of a right-wing culture war after a group of neo-Nazis booed a Welcome to Country address during an Anzac Day dawn service in Melbourne earlier in 2025. Labor has backed Welcome to Country ceremonies, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday celebrating the tradition as a powerful way to begin the new parliament and reflect on Australia's history. Mr Albanese also took a veiled swipe at the stance of former opposition leader Peter Dutton and some coalition MPs who branded Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country proclamations as divisive and overdone. "Like a lot of the more positive things about our nation, we shouldn't take it for granted," Mr Albanese said, adding the ceremony was not controversial. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the ceremony "set the tone as we re-commit ourselves to the taking of practical action to improve lives and expand opportunity for Indigenous Australians in every part of our great country". Welcome to Country is conducted by Traditional Owners, while Acknowledgement of Country is a statement of respect for Traditional Owners and connection to land, which can be given by an Indigenous or non-Indigenous person. A group of right-wing senators who turned their backs during an Acknowledgement of Country inside the federal parliament have been sharply criticised. The four One Nation politicians took the action in the Senate chamber when the statement of respect was read out as part of the traditional ceremonial opening of parliament on Tuesday. Cabinet minister Clare O'Neil lashed the Pauline Hanson-led party, saying it was disappointing their action became a point of focus, despite the shows of unity earlier in the day during Welcome to Country ceremonies. "It was disrespectful and rude and childish," she told Seven on Wednesday. The opening of parliament was a day to celebrate the strength of Australia's democracy and recommit to working for Australia's citizens, Ms O'Neil added. Nationals senator Bridge McKenzie said while it was up to the government to determine the ceremonies for the opening of parliament, and that she had listened respectfully to the acknowledgement, others had different perspectives. She also compared the One Nation silent protest to politicians who walk out of the chamber during the morning prayers and those who don't support the monarchy. "The problem in a liberal democracy like ours is when we can't express different views," she told Sunrise. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has claimed Acknowledgement of Country is "divisive" and "increasingly forced". But Ms O'Neil said the party still should have treated all Australians with respect. "Whatever your views about the Welcome to Country - we've got First Nations people who have been invited to come to parliament, to extend that hand of friendship and invite us and talk about 65,000 years of heritage that they bring to our beautiful, great country," she said. "To treat people that way on the first day of parliament, I think, it was absolutely appalling." Welcome to Country ceremonies and land acknowledgements have been at the centre of a right-wing culture war after a group of neo-Nazis booed a Welcome to Country address during an Anzac Day dawn service in Melbourne earlier in 2025. Labor has backed Welcome to Country ceremonies, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday celebrating the tradition as a powerful way to begin the new parliament and reflect on Australia's history. Mr Albanese also took a veiled swipe at the stance of former opposition leader Peter Dutton and some coalition MPs who branded Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country proclamations as divisive and overdone. "Like a lot of the more positive things about our nation, we shouldn't take it for granted," Mr Albanese said, adding the ceremony was not controversial. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the ceremony "set the tone as we re-commit ourselves to the taking of practical action to improve lives and expand opportunity for Indigenous Australians in every part of our great country". Welcome to Country is conducted by Traditional Owners, while Acknowledgement of Country is a statement of respect for Traditional Owners and connection to land, which can be given by an Indigenous or non-Indigenous person. A group of right-wing senators who turned their backs during an Acknowledgement of Country inside the federal parliament have been sharply criticised. The four One Nation politicians took the action in the Senate chamber when the statement of respect was read out as part of the traditional ceremonial opening of parliament on Tuesday. Cabinet minister Clare O'Neil lashed the Pauline Hanson-led party, saying it was disappointing their action became a point of focus, despite the shows of unity earlier in the day during Welcome to Country ceremonies. "It was disrespectful and rude and childish," she told Seven on Wednesday. The opening of parliament was a day to celebrate the strength of Australia's democracy and recommit to working for Australia's citizens, Ms O'Neil added. Nationals senator Bridge McKenzie said while it was up to the government to determine the ceremonies for the opening of parliament, and that she had listened respectfully to the acknowledgement, others had different perspectives. She also compared the One Nation silent protest to politicians who walk out of the chamber during the morning prayers and those who don't support the monarchy. "The problem in a liberal democracy like ours is when we can't express different views," she told Sunrise. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has claimed Acknowledgement of Country is "divisive" and "increasingly forced". But Ms O'Neil said the party still should have treated all Australians with respect. "Whatever your views about the Welcome to Country - we've got First Nations people who have been invited to come to parliament, to extend that hand of friendship and invite us and talk about 65,000 years of heritage that they bring to our beautiful, great country," she said. "To treat people that way on the first day of parliament, I think, it was absolutely appalling." Welcome to Country ceremonies and land acknowledgements have been at the centre of a right-wing culture war after a group of neo-Nazis booed a Welcome to Country address during an Anzac Day dawn service in Melbourne earlier in 2025. Labor has backed Welcome to Country ceremonies, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday celebrating the tradition as a powerful way to begin the new parliament and reflect on Australia's history. Mr Albanese also took a veiled swipe at the stance of former opposition leader Peter Dutton and some coalition MPs who branded Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country proclamations as divisive and overdone. "Like a lot of the more positive things about our nation, we shouldn't take it for granted," Mr Albanese said, adding the ceremony was not controversial. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the ceremony "set the tone as we re-commit ourselves to the taking of practical action to improve lives and expand opportunity for Indigenous Australians in every part of our great country". Welcome to Country is conducted by Traditional Owners, while Acknowledgement of Country is a statement of respect for Traditional Owners and connection to land, which can be given by an Indigenous or non-Indigenous person.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
One Nation turns its back on Acknowledgement of Country
A group of right-wing senators who turned their backs during an Acknowledgement of Country inside the federal parliament have been sharply criticised. The four One Nation politicians took the action in the Senate chamber when the statement of respect was read out as part of the traditional ceremonial opening of parliament on Tuesday. Cabinet minister Clare O'Neil lashed the Pauline Hanson-led party, saying it was disappointing their action became a point of focus, despite the shows of unity earlier in the day during Welcome to Country ceremonies. "It was disrespectful and rude and childish," she told Seven on Wednesday. The opening of parliament was a day to celebrate the strength of Australia's democracy and recommit to working for Australia's citizens, Ms O'Neil added. Nationals senator Bridge McKenzie said while it was up to the government to determine the ceremonies for the opening of parliament, and that she had listened respectfully to the acknowledgement, others had different perspectives. She also compared the One Nation silent protest to politicians who walk out of the chamber during the morning prayers and those who don't support the monarchy. "The problem in a liberal democracy like ours is when we can't express different views," she told Sunrise. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has claimed Acknowledgement of Country is "divisive" and "increasingly forced". But Ms O'Neil said the party still should have treated all Australians with respect. "Whatever your views about the Welcome to Country - we've got First Nations people who have been invited to come to parliament, to extend that hand of friendship and invite us and talk about 65,000 years of heritage that they bring to our beautiful, great country," she said. "To treat people that way on the first day of parliament, I think, it was absolutely appalling." Welcome to Country ceremonies and land acknowledgements have been at the centre of a right-wing culture war after a group of neo-Nazis booed a Welcome to Country address during an Anzac Day dawn service in Melbourne earlier in 2025. Labor has backed Welcome to Country ceremonies, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday celebrating the tradition as a powerful way to begin the new parliament and reflect on Australia's history. Mr Albanese also took a veiled swipe at the stance of former opposition leader Peter Dutton and some coalition MPs who branded Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country proclamations as divisive and overdone. "Like a lot of the more positive things about our nation, we shouldn't take it for granted," Mr Albanese said, adding the ceremony was not controversial. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the ceremony "set the tone as we re-commit ourselves to the taking of practical action to improve lives and expand opportunity for Indigenous Australians in every part of our great country". Welcome to Country is conducted by Traditional Owners, while Acknowledgement of Country is a statement of respect for Traditional Owners and connection to land, which can be given by an Indigenous or non-Indigenous person.
Sky News AU
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Street sweeper Shaun Turner reveals political ambitions following sacking over Acknowledgement of Country objection
A street sweeper who won his unfair dismissal case after objecting to an Acknowledgement of Country last year has revealed he is now considering a career in politics. Melbourne man Shaun Turner was let go by Victoria's Darebin City Council in June 2024 over questioning why an Acknowledgement of Country was being introduced at a toolbox meeting involving the council's street cleaning team. Mr Turner stood by his questioning in the meeting, where he argued "people who have worn the uniform and fought" for Australia should be thanked, and he won an unfair dismissal case against the council in June. The Australian reports Mr Turner has received a compensation package following a Fair Work Commission mediation hearing on Tuesday, with the terms of the settlement being kept confidential. The 60-year-old is now planning on taking some time out to consider 'where I sort of go next,' according to the masthead. 'Yeah, as I said, who knows? Maybe politics,' Mr Turner said. 'For now I'll just sit back and hopefully go enjoy some Sri Lankan sun.' He also said he had been treating a potential debut in politics 'very seriously,' eyeing up a Senate seat in particular. 'I've had a lot of time to read, I watch a lot of political shows… and I have ideas,' he said, according to The Australian. 'I'd probably like to run in the Senate.' Mr Turner revealed to the publication earlier this month that he was a 'fan' of One Nation leader and senator Pauline Hanson. 'People will throw the racist word at her, but she goes: 'No, I look after Australians, not the illegals that come into it',' Mr Turner said. He previously told Sky News he thought Acknowledgement of Country rituals were 'getting overdone' and 'out of hand'. 'If you go to eight meetings you're probably going to get eight acknowledgement of the country's, so you spend half your day at it,' he said. Mr Turner also claimed that he was 'not racist' and said he has a niece who has Indigenous Australian heritage. 'She's got three beautiful boys and one wild daughter. So I have no problems with Aboriginals,' he said. He said he would play football with a 'great family of Aboriginal boys' and became good friends with one of the boys while growing up in Broadmeadows.
