Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has found herself at the center of a heated debate after failing to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land during a ceremony commemorating the 83rd anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin.
What Happened at the Ceremony?
The ceremony, which took place last week, featured speeches from eight dignitaries, including Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce, and Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis.
Every speaker, except for Mrs. Finocchiaro, took the time to acknowledge the Larrakia traditional owners.
In fact, Professor Hugh Heggie, the Northern Territory Administrator, even delivered his welcome in the Larrakia language. A five-minute Welcome to Country was also delivered by Larrakia man James Parfitt.
Finocchiaro’s Reasoning
So, why did Mrs. Finocchiaro choose not to acknowledge the traditional owners?
According to her, the practice had become “so widespread under Labor” that it had lost its meaning. Instead, she focused on paying tribute to veterans and their families.
“I’d like to make a special acknowledgement to the veterans here today, to serving men and women, to the families and descendants of survivors, ladies and gentlemen, but also importantly to our children,” she said.
Backlash from Traditional Owners and Politicians
However, traditional owners, as well as Labor and Independent politicians, were quick to criticize the Chief Minister’s decision.
Larrakia elder Richard Fejo Snr called it “disgraceful,” while Labor MP Manuel Brown expressed his concern on Facebook, stating that it was “very concerning when the Chief Minister doesn’t acknowledge the traditional owners in her speeches.”
Independent MP Justine Davis also weighed in, pointing out that even Barnaby Joyce had taken the time to acknowledge the traditional owners.
The Broader Debate
This controversy has sparked a larger debate about the importance of acknowledging traditional owners and the role of Welcome to Country ceremonies.
Mrs. Finocchiaro’s Country Liberal Party colleague, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, has vowed to review Federal Government funding for these ceremonies if the Coalition wins the upcoming election.
Price believes that the $450,000 spent on Welcome to Country ceremonies each term could be better spent on improving the lives of marginalized Indigenous Australians.
A Different Perspective
However, Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy sees things differently.
She argues that the Coalition is more focused on “culture wars” than on achieving practical outcomes for Indigenous Australians. The debate highlights the ongoing challenges and complexities of reconciliation in Australia.