It is with welcome relief that Tony Abbott has spoken out against Aboriginal welcome ceremonies. It is an infantile exclusionary paternalistic practice that should be done away with. Wilson Tuckey has also added his two cents:
Mr Abbott ignited debate on the issue when he accused Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his ministers of engaging in “tokenism” and unnecessary political correctness when they acknowledge traditional owners while speaking at functions.
“I certainly make these acknowledgements at what I think are suitable occasions. But to do it as a matter of course, to do it automatically – it does just look like formalism and tokenism,” he said.
Mr Tuckey went further, saying the acknowledgement of traditional owners was a “farce”.
“I have never thanked anyone for the right to be on the soil that is Australian,” he said.
Of course the Greens being freedom hating mongers are calling for any one that disagrees with the practice to resign.
But Liberal frontbencher Peter Dutton says Mr Tuckey has a right to speak his mind even if people disagree with the comments.
“I don’t have any issue with what Wilson said frankly or his right to say it.”