Aussies Hit With Staggering $135,000 Welcome to Country Bill

In Queensland, local government officials have been spending thousands of dollars on welcome to country ceremonies. The money is coming from the ratepayers of Brisbane, who have already forked over $135,000 in the last two years.

It follows reports that an Aboriginal corporation wanted to charge a local surf club a fee of up to $2,000 for the ceremonies.

The National Association of Visual Arts stated that the cost of a welcome to country ceremony can range from $300 to $750 depending on the type of event.

The Sunday Mail of South East Queensland asked local government officials how much they’re spending on these ceremonies.

According to a spokesperson for the Brisbane City Council, the organization of welcome to country ceremonies cost the council over $80,000 last year and over $50,000 this year.

These ceremonies are typically held at various civic events, such as citizenship ceremonies. Around 25 percent of all civic events held in the year 2023 and 2024 are Indigenous and cultural events.

Instead of a single speaker, the ceremonies feature various tribal dances and ceremonies that are conducted with fire and smoke.

A spokesperson for the Gold Coast City Council claimed that the organization spent around a thousand dollars annually on the ceremonies. If the event is deemed appropriate, the council would then work with the local Aboriginal group to deliver the necessary services.

Although the Sunshine Coast regional council did not provide an estimate on how much it spent on the welcome ceremony program, it noted that these events were held at various community forums and public events. Traditional custodians charge a nominal fee for travel and time, similar to what a performer or guest speaker would charge.

The fees are agreed upon with the traditional custodian when planning an event. The council supports cultural protocols when it comes to honoring the elders and members of the Kabi Kabi people and the Jinibara people.

The organization acknowledges the shared history of the Kabi Kabi people and the Jinibara people. It also aims to work with them to develop a foundation for a better future.

Reconciliation Australia noted that incorporating welcome to country and acknowledgment of the country into events and gatherings shows respect for the cultural protocols of the Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginal people.

In addition, it encourages people to acknowledge the country by holding a welcome to country ceremony at an event. This practice shows that they respect the cultural protocols of the local Torres Strait Islanders and Kabi Kabi people.

According to the Sunday Mail, the Yamba Surf Club was recently charged around $2,000 for the ceremony. It was conducted by the Yaegl traditional owners association.

The corporation issued a statement claiming that the charge was made incorrectly, and it should have been handled by the state or local government instead of the surf club. The Yamba Triathlon was also reportedly threatened because of a dispute with the Yaegl, who have the rights over the beach at the town.

In April, Trevor Pickering, the mayor of the town of Croydon, told The Courier-Mail that he would not hold a welcome to country ceremony at his council meetings.

He said that he had a nephew who is an Aboriginal, and he grew up with other people who identified as Aboriginal. He added that the idea of celebrating the country was “pure bulls**t.”

In Australia, the Northern Areas Council of South Australia decided to stop reading an acknowledgment of the country at its meetings last year, which led to protests from the local indigenous community. The mayor of the Gold Coast, Tom Tate, also received criticism from the local traditional owners for not addressing the country at council meetings.

During an interview with ABC, he stated that the ceremonies honoring the country during citizenship ceremonies are generally conducted in a respectful manner. He also noted that the national anthem should be played during the ceremony.

Warren Mundine, an Aboriginal community leader, criticized the Voice earlier this year for contributing to the division of Australia’s welcome to country ceremonies.