Records obtained by the Opposition through Freedom of Information requests have revealed the staggering cost of Welcome to Country ceremonies across Commonwealth government departments.
More than $450,000 was spent by just 21 government departments on these ceremonies in the last two years.
Among the biggest spenders is Anthony Albanese’s own department, which spent $41,801 on Welcome to Country ceremonies – at an average cost of $1,266 per ceremony.
Opposition waste spokesman, James Stevens MP, has criticised the exorbitant cost to taxpayers, saying that “while there is a place for traditional Welcome to Country ceremonies, taxpayers should not be forking out half a million dollars for them.
“When added to the enormous amounts state and local governments spend on these ceremonies, it’s become a multi-million-dollar industry.
“Welcomes to Country should be genuine and authentic, not a lucrative income stream at the taxpayers’ expense.
“Spending millions on ‘welcome’ ceremonies does nothing to address the challenges facing indigenous Australians.
“This money could be better spent on delivering real solutions to indigenous communities,” Mr Stevens said.