Sydney, April 28, 2025 —
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has taken aim at Qantas, criticising the airline's practice of delivering Acknowledgement of Country announcements on every flight landing in Australia, labelling it as "over the top."
Speaking to reporters, Mr Dutton argued that while recognising and respecting Australia's Indigenous heritage is important, the frequent repetition of the Acknowledgement on every domestic flight diminishes its significance. "There is a time and a place for these acknowledgements," Dutton said. "When they are used for important occasions, they are meaningful. But when broadcast routinely on every flight, they risk becoming tokenistic."
The comments come amid a wider national debate about the role and frequency of Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country ceremonies. Dutton also recently voiced concerns about similar acknowledgements at Anzac Day ceremonies, suggesting that many veterans prefer to focus on commemorations without additional formalities.
The discussion intensified last week after an incident at Melbourne's Anzac Day Dawn Service, where a Welcome to Country was booed by sections of the crowd. A recent poll conducted by a national media outlet revealed that approximately 65% of Australians believe that Welcome to Country ceremonies should either be reduced or removed altogether from certain public events.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded to the controversy, calling for respectful engagement with cultural issues and stressing the importance of inclusivity. "Acknowledging our Indigenous heritage is part of recognising the full story of Australia," Albanese said. "But ultimately, it’s up to individual organisations to decide how they choose to honour that."
Qantas has so far stood by its practice, stating that the Acknowledgement of Country is part of its broader commitment to reconciliation and respect for the traditional custodians of the land.
As the debate continues, it highlights the broader conversation Australia is grappling with about how best to honour Indigenous culture while balancing public sentiment.
