Latest news with #WelcomeToCountry
News.com.au
2 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Councillor reprimanded after walking out, turnng back on Indigenous ceremonies
A South Australian councillor has been called on to resign by his colleagues after he was accused of walking out during the Acknowledgement of Country and turning his back on a smoking ceremony at a Welcome to Country. Barossa councillor Bruce Preece was also alleged to have used the homophobic slur 'poofter' in 2024, in a conversation defending suspended Port Adelaide forward Jeremy Finlayson's use of the word. Councillor Preece says he's been denied procedural fairness and plans to appeal against any findings made against him. Another complaint alleged that he had blindsided colleagues by appearing on the front page of the local newspaper in December 2023 in a story announcing he would be bringing forward a motion to discontinue the Acknowledgement of Country at council meetings and events. Barossa Council received a behavioural complaint from two councillors and one unnamed individual against Cr Preece in April last year regarding the four allegations. The council spent $47,000 investigating the matter, according to public documents, with a report by law firm Kelledy Jones concluding that he had breached numerous Behavioural Standards for Council Members and recommending he be reprimanded, attend relevant training and issue a public apology. The council voted in favour of the motions at its meeting on May 20, calling on Cr Preece to resign 'forthwith'. Cr Preece told the meeting that he had been denied procedural fairness in the investigation, and would appeal to the state ombudsman. 'I believe one of the great pillars of Australian society and the way our country is run is that we have the rule of law, we have the principle that people are innocent until proven guilty and that those accused of wrongdoing are given procedural fairness in the ensuing investigations,' he said. Cr Preece declined to comment further when reached on Friday. According to Kelledy Jones' report, Cr Preece walked out during council's Acknowledgement of Country on five occasions in 2023 in a 'deliberate and calculated' manner. Cr Preece's actions were 'disruptive and contemptuous as well as disrespectful and discriminatory, on the basis that the Acknowledgement of Country is a public demonstration of respect to the First Nations of Australia and is a longstanding element of council's meeting procedure', the complaint read. At council's Australia Day event in 2024 at Tanunda Show Hall, Cr Preece was accused of getting up from his seat and walking away from the crowd after a smoking ceremony by Uncle Quenten Agius to wait in line at a coffee van, chatting with another person and standing with his back to the speaker 'for an extended period of time'. The complaint 'submits that Cr Preece's positioning and body language conveyed contempt and it appeared to be a calculated and deliberately public display of disrespect and repudiation directed towards our guest speaker'. He was alleged to have been heard by a number of attendees saying words to the effect of 'they shouldn't be allowed to have that smoke, they shouldn't be allowed to do that, it's so wrong', 'it's disgusting, it smells disgusting' and 'people can't breathe, they can't breathe because of all that smoke'. Cr Preece, who was elected to council in November 2022, spoke to The Barossa Leader newspaper in December 2023 ahead of bringing a motion to discontinue the Acknowledgement of Country. The complaint alleged that 'the manner in which Cr Preece brought this matter forward resulted in elected members becoming aware of the motion via the local newspaper in the first instance, which fails to meet his obligations under the Behavioural Standards in establishing and maintaining relationships of respect, trust, collaboration and co-operation with fellow elected members'. In April 2024, ahead of a meeting of the Gawler River Floodplain Management Authority (GRFMA) at Adelaide Hills Council's Kersbrook Sporting Complex, in his capacity as a GRFMA board member, Cr Preece was allegedly 'engaged in friendly football banter' with two individuals when he raised the recent 'Jeremy Finlayson homophobic slur' incident. 'Very vocally, in an audible voice heard by those beyond the conversation, Cr Preece spoke certain, similar, words to those purportedly used by Mr Finlayson, that the complainant submits were offensive and inappropriate,' the complaint read. 'The complainant asserts that Cr Preece seemed 'outraged' that you couldn't call someone a 'poofter' and reminded him that his use of that word was not appropriate.' The complainant alleged that despite being told to stop, Cr Preece then 'doubled down on his comments raised his voice louder and said he was sick of our society telling him what he could and couldn't say and if he wanted to call someone a poofter he should be able to, after all he was referred to that on the football field many times'. In his response to the investigation, Cr Preece's lawyer said his client was 'making a sticks and stones type argument' but 'accepts that his pursuit of the argument may not have been appropriate to the context and apologises for any offence caused'. Regarding the allegation of walking out during the Acknowledgement of Country, Cr Preece's representative submitted that he has had 'a battle with bowel cancer his need to go to the bathroom can be immediate' and on other occasions he had left the chamber to get his spare reading glasses from his car. He denied deliberately turning his back during the Australia Day smoking ceremony, saying he had noticed there was an elderly citizen who was coughing due to the smoke and went over to see if she needed assistance. And in response to the complaint about the newspaper article, Cr Preece maintained he was within his rights to raise a notice of motion without 'foreshadowing' to other members. Kelledy Jones found that Cr Preece's explanation for leaving the chamber during the Acknowledgement of Country was 'disingenuous', and that his explanation of the Australia Day incident did 'not address what was said to be his rude and offensive comments made at the time'. The law firm also found that Cr Preece 'made the homophobic comments as alleged, and when challenged regarding the same, asserted his right to do so, blanketed as 'free speech''. 'It is highly inappropriate and offensive for a member of the council to act in such manner, particularly when they are an 'ambassador' for their council, causing embarrassment and offending others present, which actions persisted, even when they were raised with him,' it said. Emotional councillors vented their fury at Cr Preece during last Tuesday's meeting. 'I have never, ever called upon someone to resign, but such is the seriousness of it,' Cr John Angas said. Cr Dave de Vries added, 'I'm actually surprised how emotional I'm getting about this … it's just so distressing. The enormity of what's happening is just starting to hit home.' Cr Jess Greatwich, council's representative to the local Rainbow Network, said she was 'apoplectic with fury when I read this complaint — I had to go and walk around the block and make myself a cup of tea'. 'I'm still furious and I am so sad,' she said. Cr Cathy Troup suggested 'Indigenous and cultural awareness training in this specific incident could be very beneficial'. 'Sometimes we just don't know what we don't know, and I do think this could give Cr Preece a chance to just, you know, think about the way he thinks,' she said. Barossa Mayor Bim Lange told the ABC on Thursday council's decision was about policies rather than politics. 'It's disappointing that this has occurred, but I believe that council is engaging with First Nations, looking at all the things associated with their history and it's just about showing respect,' he said. 'People can have personal views — I don't hold a grudge against that — but when we've set some policies and some principles on our behaviour, I think it's important we demonstrate that to the wider community.' A number of councils have voted to cancel Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country ceremonies following the defeat of the Voice to Parliament referendum in 2023, including South Australia's Northern Areas Council, the City of Playford and Naracoorte Lucindale Council. Several others have knocked down motions seeking to end the practice, including the Shire of Harvey in Western Australia, Sydney's Cumberland City Council and Flinders Council in Tasmania earlier this week.
ABC News
3 days ago
- General
- ABC News
Barossa councillor to appeal to ombudsman after Welcome to Country reprimand
A South Australian councillor says he will appeal to the ombudsman after colleagues called on him to resign for refusing to acknowledge Welcome to Country ceremonies. Barossa Council also directed Bruce Preece to apologise and attend behavioural training "relevant to his role and responsibilities" in regard to three other unrelated allegations spanning 18 months. These included using the slur "poofter" at an external event during a discussion about AFL player Jeremy Finlayson's suspension on that charge. The council spent $47,000 investigating the complaints, according to public meeting documents, and Cr Preece, who has defended the allegations, was formally reprimanded at last Tuesday's meeting. According to the meeting documents Cr Preece caught fellow councillors off-guard when he appeared on the front page of the Barossa Leader newspaper in 2023 and announced he would put forward a motion to abandon the Acknowledgement of Country at council events. The motion failed, but a series of complaints later lodged by councillors Jess Greatwich and Kathryn Schilling alleged, among other things, that he did not meet his obligations of "maintaining relationships of respect, trust, collaboration and cooperation". An investigation by Kelledy Jones Lawyers ruled he did not act in a "reasonable, just, respectful and non-discriminatory way" when he left the council chambers on five occasions during Acknowledgement of Country proceedings and allegedly turned his back on a smoking ceremony at a 2024 Australia Day event. In her complaint Cr Greatwich said Mr Preece stood up as elder Quenten Agius began speaking and went to the coffee van line. "For an extended period of time", the complaint alleged, Cr Preece stood "with his back facing the stage". He was allegedly heard describing the amount of smoke as "disgusting" and saying "people can't breathe". Cr Greatwich said she "could not see anyone struggling to breathe". In his defence, Cr Preece said bowel cancer symptoms forced him to intermittently leave the chambers and that he was assisting an attendee who began coughing at the smoking ceremony. Regarding the homophobic slur, Cr Preece's lawyer wrote that "the context of the conversation was the disparity of punishment between two issues, namely that Port Adelaide player [who] was given six-match suspension for a slur [when] a player can sling-tackle a player and get only [a] one or two-match suspension". The third complainant, whose identity was undisclosed, reported that Cr Preece remarked "he was sick of our society telling him what he could and couldn't say" and that he was "referred to as that on the football field many times". Cr Preece told the ABC he could not comment due to legal considerations but confirmed he would lodge a complaint with the ombudsman on the grounds that he was denied procedural fairness. In a statement read to council he requested until August 8 to "respond fully" to the allegations and urged his colleagues to consider "what you would want to see happen if you were in my shoes". "You never know if, one day – though you may be perfectly innocent – you may find yourself under investigation," Cr Preece's statement said. "I hope that day never comes for you. "I believe one of the great pillars of Australian society and the way our country is run is that when we have the rule of law, we have the principle that people are innocent until proven guilty and that those accused of wrongdoing are given procedural fairness in the ensuing investigations." The time extension request was denied. Cr Preece was previously a Prospect councillor between 2006 and 2014. The City of Prospect spent $50,000 investigating behavioural complaints made by and against him. Mr Agius, a Narungga and Ngadjuri elder, described Cr Preece's alleged actions as "disappointing". "It's like the old people said — some people are open to change, but not all," he said. "It's taken a long time for Aboriginal people to have a voice and for Aboriginal people to get up and speak at these occasions, and to want to participate in these special occasions, to unite us as a nation. Barossa Mayor Michael Lange OAM said the council's decision was about policies rather than politics. "It's disappointing that this has occurred, but I believe that council is engaging with First Nations, looking at all the things associated with their history and it's just about showing respect," he said. "People can have personal views – I don't hold a grudge against that – but when we've set some policies and some principles on our behaviour, I think it's important we demonstrate that to the wider community." Cr Lange said Cr Preece had privately advised him that his actions were a show of protest. "He told me he objected to the Acknowledgement of Country in council meetings, yes," Cr Lange said. Several SA councils have retired the Welcome to Country, including Northern Areas, Playford and Naracoorte Lucindale after motions from elected members. On Wednesday Flinders Council in Tasmania voted down a similar proposal.
News.com.au
4 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Fans divided over Welcome to Country ahead of State of Origin opener
The Welcome to Country has been thrust back into the spotlight at the State of Origin opener at Suncorp Stadium. The ceremony which often leaves fans split, had a similar affect on Wednesday night after it was performed by Ashley and Aaron Ruska. In what was a short and sharp ceremony that lasted no more than one minute, those in attendance and the majority of those at home all praised the duo for their display. Journalist Peter FitzSimons wrote: 'Great Welcome to Country, and warm acclaim by the crowd.' Another fan on X added: 'Excellent Welcome to Country. F*** the bigots.' A third wrote: 'Good Welcome to country, QLD even does that better.' A fourth posted: 'That's how you do Welcome to Country. Short and to the point.' Another chimed in with: 'I reckon that's the best welcome to country I've ever seen. Enjoy the game. Go the Blues.' Of course not everyone who tuned into the Origin opener was happy with what they were seeing unfold on their screens. One wrote on X: 'People who at the #StateOfOrigin don't go for virtue signalling social justice nonsense. They come to watch the State of Origin. They don't want a history lesson but to enjoy the game. #Australia didn't vote for more #WelcomeToCountry.' A second added: 'Who else mutes the TV when the welcome to country comes on?' A third wrote: 'I should've known there'd be this welcome to country bulls**t when I switched on State of Origin.' The positive feedback from the majority ahead of the Origin opener comes after Savannah Fynn was praised for her ceremony ahead of last year's opening clash. Fynn also didn't miss a beat in her Welcome to Country, which was also noted by some social media users. 'Welcome to country defeats Anthem by some margin,' was one opinion. 'What a gorgeous welcome to country from that young woman!' wrote another.
ABC News
4 days ago
- General
- ABC News
Welcome to Country to stay after Flinders Island council rejects move to end Aboriginal protocol
Flinders Island councillors have rejected a motion to cease Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country at events the council is involved in. Councillor Garry Blenkhorn put forward the motion at the Tasmanian council's meeting on Wednesday, but it failed to get a seconder. Around 50 people, including many from Tasmanian Aboriginal communities, were present when the motion was put to the council. All those present were against the motion. In his councillor's report for putting forward the motion, Cr Blenkhorn said there had been "an increase in discontent throughout Australia" regarding the use of Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country at public events. "The use of Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country is seen as divisive, unnecessary and not contributing to reconciliation between Indigenous Australians and others," Cr Blenkhorn wrote. The motion was not discussed by council before the meeting and the community had not been consulted. Cr Blenkhorn has previously told the ABC he'd been approached by "well over a hundred people" on the topic and "for that reason presented the motion." Speaking at the meeting after the motion lapsed, Flinders Island Deputy Mayor Vanessa Grace said she was dismayed to read the motion. "While Cr Blenkhorn says he is representing up to 100 people's views and he's brought them all forward, such a significant change should have been brought to council for a workshop, discussion and collaborations with the community and the key stakeholders, the Aboriginal communities," she said. Denise Gardner, who represents the Cape Barron Island Aboriginal Association and Aboriginal people on Truwana/Cape Barron Island, was one of many in the public gallery who cheered and clapped after the motion stalled. "We were quite elated but not surprised at the outcome," Ms Gardner said. "We had half a dozen people fly over from Truwana Island to attend and had people on Skype watching the proceedings." She said many had been "flabbergasted" the motion was being put forward, especially during National Reconciliation Week. "It's just amazing that it would be a motion at what is quite a sensitive time for people when we're all trying to go forward," she said. "Flinders Council have done a lot of work with communities on Flinders and Truwana/Cape Barron to get work together, get on with business and work together on common causes and for the best part that has been happening. "We move forward on that." Flinders Island Mayor Rachel Summers said it was "a good move" of councillors to not second the motion. "Councillors spoke out in support of our community rather than the motion, so it was really good to see that," Cr Summers said. But she said the motion had caused damage. "Unfortunately, damage has been done out of this and I really hope council can work with our Aboriginal community, with the organisations that represent those communities and find a way to walk forward together." Cr Blenkhorn has been contacted for comment.
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
‘Time to move on': Flinders Island councillor pushes to scrap Welcome to Country
A councillor on Flinders Island in Tasmania has called for the end of Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country, saying the ceremonies have 'served their purpose and it is now time to move on'. Flinders Island, part of the Furneaux Group in the Bass Strait off Tasmania's northeast tip, has a population of 800 people and the second-highest proportion of Aboriginal residents in the state at around 16 per cent. Councillor Garry Blenkhorn has put forward a resolution to be voted on at Wednesday's meeting for Flinders Council to 'cease reciting all references to Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country in any event or publication involving the council including, but not limited to, meetings of the council, meetings of special and subcommittees of the council, public meetings organised by or involving the council and the publishing and presentation of reports of the council including Annual Reports'. Mayor Rachel Summers told the ABC that she was disappointed Cr Blenkhorn had not raised the issue before submitting his notice of motion. She warned that the proposal would 'take us back 50 years, 100 years even'. 'It's literally 30 seconds, 60 seconds, when we just acknowledge the contribution the Aboriginal community has made over their time as custodians of the land,' Cr Summers said. The Palawa people of the Trawulwai Nation are recognised as the traditional owners of the Furneaux Islands. Flinders Island is also the site of the old Wybalenna Mission where Indigenous Tasmanians were sent in the early 1800s, many dying from disease and poor conditions. Cr Blenkhorn said there had 'recently been an increase in discontent throughout Australia regarding the use of Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country at public events'. 'The use of Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country is seen as divisive, unnecessary and not contributing to reconciliation between Indigenous Australians and others,' he wrote. 'I believe the two protocols have served their purpose and it is now time to move on. These protocols are not historical and have only existed for around 50 years … It is not a long-held tradition and should not be regarded as such.' Cr Blenkhorn highlighted the 2023 defeat of the Indigenous Voice Referendum by a 60-40 margin. Flinders Island recorded a slightly stronger yes vote at 45.6 per cent, but Cr Blenkhorn said the overall result was 'a vote against constitutional recognition for Indigenous peoples throughout Australia'. 'There can be many interpretations put on the result … but the major certainty is that Australians do not want separatist development,' he wrote. 'That is called apartheid. Many will recall or have read of the White Australia policy which was developed after World War II. We do not want to go back to those days where your future in Australia was determined by your race. Those days have gone and should never return.' Flinders Council general manager Warren Groves raised concerns about the motion, saying the Flinders Island Aboriginal Association Incorporated (FIAAI), the Cape Barren Island Aboriginal Association (CBIAA) and the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania (ALCT) were all 'strongly opposed'. 'I am concerned that any such action will cause potentially significant offence and affront to those associations and the communities they represent,' he wrote. 'An Acknowledgement of, or Welcome to Country, is a relatively short expression of respect, acknowledging, amongst other matters, the strong ongoing connection of the Aboriginal people to Australia for more than 40,000 years.' Flinders Council has used the Acknowledgement of Country since 2019, and in 2014 'took what was reportedly viewed as a progressive step, to support an inclusive celebration of being Furneaux Islanders on a date separate to Australia Day'. 'This change has since been widely celebrated for its inclusive and progressive perspective,' Mr Groves wrote. 'I have significant concerns that removing the Welcome to or Acknowledgement of Country from Council events may be seen as a retrograde step and offensive to our Aboriginal community, as well as reputationally and socially damaging for council both within and outside our island communities.' CBIAA chair Aaron Maynard told the ABC 'words can't really explain how disgusting and just how disrespectful this is to everyone'. 'Our people on this land in Australia are the oldest living race in the world at 65,000 years old, and we're still not celebrating that to our full capacity,' he said. Debate over the use of Welcome to Country ceremonies has grown since the Voice Referendum, with the Liberal frontbencher Jacinta Nampijinpa Price previously warning people are 'sick if it'. 'There is no problem with acknowledging our history, but rolling out these performances before every sporting event or public gathering is definitely divisive,' she said. 'It's not welcoming, it's telling non-Indigenous Australians 'this isn't your country' and that's wrong. We are all Australians and we share this great land.' Reconciliation Australia, the national peak body dedicated to reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider community, says the ceremonies are an important sign of respect. 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced a long history of exclusion from Australian history books, the Australian flag, the Australian anthem and for many years, Australian democracy,' it says. 'This history of dispossession and colonisation lies at the heart of the disparity between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and other Australians today. Including recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in events, meetings and national symbols contributes to ending the exclusion that has been so damaging.'
