Latest news with #AcknowledgementsofCountry
7NEWS
13 hours ago
- Politics
- 7NEWS
Melbourne street sweeper Shaun Turner wins unfair dismissal case over objection to Acknowledgement of Country
A Melbourne street sweeper has successfully challenged his dismissal after the Fair Work Commission (FWC) found it was unfair to sack him for objecting to an Acknowledgement of Country. Shaun Turner had been a full-time sweeper driver in the City Works department at Darebin City Council before he was dismissed on June 3, 2024. The dismissal followed a toolbox meeting of the street cleaning team on April 17, 2024, where an Acknowledgement of Country was delivered for the first time at such a gathering. An Acknowledgement of Country is typically offered at the start of meetings, speeches or events, to show respect for traditional owners and recognise the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country. Turner questioned the practice, saying: 'If we need to be thanking anyone, it's the people who have worn the uniform and fought for our country to keep us free.' Council officers launched an investigation on May 14 to determine whether Turner should be dismissed. At a subsequent meeting, the council's chief people officer, Yvette Fuller, said the expectation was that an Acknowledgement of Country should be given before all formal meetings. Turner replied: 'Why didn't we do it in this meeting then?' He later added: 'It is getting out of hand and people are losing it, it is now being done at the opening of a postage stamp.' 'I don't need to be welcomed into my own country.' When asked if he would continue to disrupt an Acknowledgement of Country, Turner said: 'I won't disrupt it but I want to be asked if I would like you to give me the courtesy to step outside.' The council claimed Turner had said, 'The Acknowledgement of Country is not necessary', and that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 'do not deserve an acknowledgment at the start of meetings'. His tone was described as 'disrespectful, sarcastic and aggressive'. He was also accused of making derogatory remarks about a colleague and inappropriately discussing that colleague's employment details in a group setting. As a result, Turner was issued with a termination letter citing 'serious misconduct'. However, the FWC found these did not constitute a valid reason for dismissal. FWC Deputy President William Clancy said Turner's comments were not made in the tone or manner alleged by the council. 'I am not persuaded that Mr Turner said either 'The Acknowledgement of Country is not necessary' or that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders 'do not deserve an acknowledgment at the start of meetings,' Clancy said. 'I am satisfied, however, that Mr Turner made a comment to the effect that if anyone was to be acknowledged or thanked at a toolbox meeting, it should be the servicemen and women who had fought for this country (i.e. Australia) but I do not consider that expressing such an opinion constitutes a valid reason for dismissal.' 'I regard Mr Turner's various comments as having been a spontaneous expression of his opinion that Acknowledgements of Country are appropriate on special occasions but one was not necessary at the toolbox meeting. The absence of a valid reason for dismissal led Clancy to conclude that Turner's sacking was unfair and described it as 'harsh, unjust or unreasonable'. In his testimony to the FWC, Turner said he believed he was 'being made out to be a racist'. 'I've got to say that I was brought up on Broadmeadows. I come from a family of eight,' he said. 'My best friends out at Broadmeadows happen to be Aboriginals, one of them marrying my sister. 'I have a niece and great-niece and nephews who are all Aboriginals.' Turner is now seeking reinstatement, with a final decision on that and any remedy yet to be made.
Perth Now
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Telling detail in Ley's first major speech
Sussan Ley has said Acknowledgements of Country should not become a box ticking exercise, and that there is a 'time and a place' for the declaration during her first major speech as Opposition Leader. Her words were a departure from the stance taken by her predecessor Peter Dutton, with acknowledgement of country statements notably missing from major Liberal Party events and speeches during the election, like the official campaign launch in Western Sydney. Speaking to the National Press Club on Wednesday, Ms Ley began her speech 'acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today'. Asked on Thursday if her speech 'settled' the debate on Acknowledgements and Welcome to Country, Ms Ley said neither should be overused. 'Look I think Acknowledgements of Country have their place, but in significant moments like yesterday was one of those places,' she told ABC radio. 'And as Environment Minister and Health Minister, I listened carefully and I participated in what I would describe as meaningful Welcome to Country ceremonies that involved the circumstances of Indigenous Australians with respect to our natural environment and their own health that were relevant and important.' Sussan Ley said there was a 'time and place' of Acknowledgements of Country and stressed they shouldn't be overused. NewsWire/ Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia Continuing, she said: 'I don't think it should be ticking a box on a teams meeting'. 'I don't think it should be at every work meeting, because I think that actually diminishes the value of what it is. 'So there is a time and a place, and it's about striking the right balance.' Her comments follow a factitious election campaign where Mr Dutton avoided giving Acknowledgement to Country statements, said Welcome to Country ceremonies were overdone and went as far to say he didn't support Welcome to Country ceremonies on Anzac Day. Speaking to the Opposition party room in Canberra on Thursday, Ms Ley said the Coalition needed to 'rebuild with humility' and represent a diverse range of groups following the 'sobering' election loss. 'Our job is to present that alternative narrative for Australians so they look at us and know that we're a party that respects, reflects and will represent modern Australia, and we can restore their faith and trust in us,' she said. Nationals Leader David Littleproud urged the party to 'come out swinging'. 'So while it's, it's humbling and it's, it's disappointing the election result, you can do one of two things: you can get in the foetal position, give up, or you can come out swinging,' he said. 'And being from western Queensland, we always take the latter. 'So let's come out swinging. Let's hold this government to account, and let's show Australians that we are here for them and we have the solutions for them.'
Daily Mail
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Coalition makes major decision about Welcome to Country laws
Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson has revealed the Coalition will not introduce laws dictating when Welcome to Country ceremonies can be held. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said on Sunday that the ceremonies are 'overdone' and, while appropriate for the opening of Parliament, they are not suited for events like Anzac Day, on planes, at the footy, or at the start of meetings. Mr Paterson doubled down on Mr Dutton's comments on Tuesday and clarified the Coalition's policy on the issue. 'My view is, it's up to event organisers,' he told ABC News Breakfast. 'What Peter [Dutton] said is, in his judgement, he thinks probably the majority of veterans don't want to have a Welcome to Country at these events, but he also said it's a matter for organisers.' Senator Paterson confirmed there will be no changes to laws around the ceremonies, but highlighted that doing 'too much' risks making the ceremonies 'tokenistic'. 'We're not proposing new legislation or a new law to dictate when there should or shouldn't be welcomed to countries,' he said. 'We've said that we think they are appropriate at some events. 'We've all seen events where on Zoom calls, people are doing various Acknowledgements of Country,' he said. Another example from Senator Paterson was conferences 'where every single speaker does it'. 'I think some Australians think that's a bit too much and it cheapens it if it's tokenistic,' he said. The Welcome to Country is an Indigenous ancestral cleansing practice which is used to welcome people to traditional lands.
