Former AFL player and media personality Sam Newman has sparked outrage after walking out on an Acknowledgement of Country ceremony at Victoria’s Government House on Australia Day.
The incident has left many questioning his actions and motives.
What Happened at the Ceremony?
Newman was seen heading for the door as the Governor of Victoria, Margaret Gardner, began speaking during the brief ceremonial statement.
According to a guest in attendance, he exited the hall and then returned to his seat once the statement was finished.
However, instead of facing the stage, he kept his back turned and took pictures of himself as the event continued.
Newman Doubles Down on His Actions
Speaking to Sky News, Newman claimed he left during the acknowledgement as it was “a sham”.
He stated, “When they started the Welcome to Country, I started to move out of the hall out of respect.
I don’t want to stay in any function or… any chat that’s going on when they Welcome to Country. I think it’s wrong, it’s nonsense, it’s a complete… sham.”
Newman believes that staying to listen to the statement would have made him a “hypocrite”.
A Stand Against Welcome to Country Ceremonies
Newman denied turning his back on Victoria’s Governor, but instead claimed he was filming himself with the person in the background to celebrate Australia Day.
He then launched an attack on Welcome to Country ceremonies, labelling them “absolute nonsense” that are dividing Australians.
Newman argued, “Who is welcoming us to what? What country? We are all Australians, we don’t want to be divided by this racial lens that people look at our country through.”
The Voice Referendum and Indigenous Leaders
Newman also cited the Voice Referendum as an indication that many Australians do not want to be divided on the basis of race.
He stated, “There are people rampaging through the city about invasion day… as I say, if someone hadn’t turned up here all those years ago, they’d be nothing here.”
Newman believes that many Indigenous leaders share his opinion that Australians should be united as one people.