Sunrise host Nat Barr has called out the government over the half a million dollars it spent on Welcome to Country ceremonies over the last three years.
Figures obtained under Freedom of Information show more than $100,000 has been spent on the events by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under the current leadership of Anthony Albanese.
That’s on top of the $450,000 spent by other government agencies on the ceremonies in the same period during a national cost of living crisis.
The coalition’s government efficiency spokesperson, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, is considering diverting some of that funding away and has described the expenditure as an example of mere symbolism from the government.
‘I don’t believe that we should be spending [that amount] a term on Welcome to Country when that isn’t actually improving the life of a marginalised, Indigenous Australians,’ Price said.
Barr questioned whether the Welcome to Country and smoking ceremonies needed to be that expensive on Wednesday’s episode of Sunrise.
‘$550,000, obviously a lot of taxpayer money. Is there anyway to reduce some of that cost?’ Barr asked Minister for Housing Clare O’Neil.
Nat Barr has called out the sizable $550,000 taxpayer bill for Welcome to Country ceremonies held in the last three years under the Labor government
‘Honestly I think this is a huge distraction. The big problem facing our citizens at the moment is the cost of living and housing and our government is firmly focused on those two issues,’ Ms O’Neil said.
She went on to claim the coalition taking aim at the short speeches, usually done before sporting or community events, was part of an ongoing pattern that ‘wasn’t consistent with Australian values’.  Â
‘Peter Dutton, we know he walked out of the apology, he won’t stand in front of the Aboriginal flag, now he’s saying he wants to make cuts to Welcome to Country ceremonies.
‘This just has a meanness about it. We’ve got this beautiful multicultural country because we’re courteous to each other and respect each other’s cultures and traditions. That is what the ceremonies are about.’
Shadow finance minister Jane Hume, who was also on the program, hit back saying she did think ‘anyone could accuse Jacinta Price of being mean or taking on culture wars unnecessarily’.Â
‘We have to remember that every dollar spent is a dollar that another taxpayer has earnt.
‘Closing the gap is something that we have discussed this week. Indigenous health outcomes, education outcomes, rates of incarceration are priorities.Â
‘We have to question whether this amount on Welcome to Country ceremonies is the right use of taxpayer money. They have their place occasionally, but whether it needs to be this amount and this often is a question that I think Jacinta Price will be following up.’
Taxpayers footed on the bill for 97 Welcome to Country and smoking cermonies over two years to July 2024. Pictured is incoming Governor-General Sam Mostyn at a smoking ceremony during the swearing in ceremony at Parliament House
Ms O’Neil fired back that the coalition ‘has had three years to come up with a cost-of-living policy and their big idea is that they want to tax the people watching at home, the people in my electorate, to subsidise fettuccine for their bosses.’
Ms O’Neil was referring to a proposal by Peter Dutton announced in late January for small businesses to claim deductions for meals and entertainment. This would be available to businesses with a turnover under $10 million and excluded alcohol.
The policy would run initially for two years with a view to extending it. It would be capped at $20,000 per businesses with estimates as to what it would cost the country in tax revenue varying from under $250,000 up to $10billion.
The coalition claimed it would prop up small business, help retain employees and provide a boost for the hospitality industry.
‘We’re talking about Welcome to Country ceremonies,’ Ms Hume said.Â
‘That is a topic for another time,’ Barr agreed.Â