Taxpayers’ cost to ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremony revealed

[@mudbutton2]

Vote NO and end these scams

[@matthewflinders1978]

Welcoming people to the country they were born in is just odd. And on the basis that they are not aboriginal, it’s racist too, just like the voice.

[@kathrynperry992]

Welcome to Country is their constant reminder to the rest of us, that it's their country, and we have no right to be here. They need to understand... We're not going anywhere. 😊

[@Convulsionz]

i just decided the other day that iam aboriginal

[@kathrynperry992]

@@Convulsionz Another one jumping on the gravy train? lol.

[@bettysteve322716]

@@kathrynperry992 they are the first known invaders, they lost the war with the second known invaders, what more needs saying?

[@moralityisnotsubjective5]

@@bettysteve322716 Who were the original inhabitants?

[@lesterwyoung]

It's ludicrous that Australians are being charged to be welcomed to their own country!

[@nathanashburner5429]

Ask for your money back good luck

[@chuckmaddison2924]

I guess Australian's are stateless which will cause a problem when travelling overseas seas.

[@ronanrogers4127]

Our own country if you don’t mind

[@lionel9588]

Don't worry our rates will be going up soon and they will get part of it.

[@chuckmaddison2924]

@lionel9588 In WA, they now get extra If you have land ,residential or commercial over 1100 square metres we have to pay $ 150 per hour. To bring in an Aboriginal to check with the woggle to see if we can dig a hole for the hills hoist. With no mention of how many hours it takes.

[@Ernst12]

The amount of tax money wasted by governments in Australia is stunning - zero respect of the fact that someone had to pay taxes for this nonsense.

[@mariahewitt9787]

Meanwhile, we have working taxpaying Australians, living in tents and in their cars.

[@gail9906]

Generations of Australias working their backsides off while filling their own vaults at the other end. We are nothing more than collateral damage. 🤬

[@ashleyleboydre7751]

Paying many of the politicians is also a big waste of time. We are paying full price for a number of ex PMs that do nothing for the country. They keep their entire wage as a pension. I don't see soldiers keeping their full wage after putting their lives on the line.

[@bellohadiza9414]

The whites can go back to where their parents came from , not dehumanised other cultures period , most of complains from non whites communities period .

[@stevelozevski8151]

$740,000,000 sent to Ukraine

[@jsmith3908]

Another reason to VOTE NO

[@piratepete4322]

@@Thunderlips2235exactly. People who haven’t been and seen don’t know what they’re talking about.

[@qwertyui90qwertyui90]

@@Thunderlips2235 DO IT

[@blahblah6227]

Just a load shit that referendum. Any race ,colour. country can make it to parliament if they work hard enough . Don't vote yes to the political correctness bullying, keep your own opinion. Don't let idiots try and tell you right and wrong

[@geraldinesnell2878]

Make sure you write it don't tick or cross use Biro not pencil

[@qwertyui90qwertyui90]

@@geraldinesnell2878 Use a pen and go over it in pencil, the automatic readers are calibrated to pick up pencil, not pen.

[@ninoskhamo6845]

Welcome to country is Virtue Signaling. Nothing more, nothing less.

[@ninoskhamo6845]

And how many times are you going to do it? Cause everyone falls asleep during these events.

[@yolandascholten2012]

Exactly….I’d rather see the money spent on building homes, a hospital or a school.

[@barryjulianwaldron3656]

In 1967 the referendum was all about constitutional inclusion for the First Australian Peoples. The 2023 referendum is all about constitutional separation for the same peoples. Keep the Australian Family together! Vote “NO”. 🇦🇺💯%

[@veganath]

Well said.... Voting "NO"!!

[@bettysteve322716]

first known invaders please. the jury is still out on the hobbit like "Murray Man", because narrative and agenda.

[@livingadamman7994]

No referendums for the real issues as usual

[@steph4922]

They are the ruling class. Always getting benefits but want more and more and more! What a lazy entitled lot. When they refuse to help themselves.

[@majorlaff8682]

Welcome to my country. I'd like to acknowledge the early pioneers who came to this country over two hundred years ago and developed an almost uninhabitable land by establishing farms, roads, schools, hospitals, towns and cities, railways, ports and harbours, universities, health clinics, telecommunications, factories and industries, warm (or cool) comfortable homes, shopping centres, a reliable abundant food supply, libraries, clean water, electricity and gas, airlines, the mining industry ... the list goes on. Welcome to my country. The copyright of the above 'Welcome ...' belongs to me. Certain members of the community will allowed to use it at a fee of $5,000. White-fellas may use it for free.

[@kathrynperry992]

BRAVO..🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤.

[@chrisstevens463]

Yes and if they don't like it they can go back to living like they did before white man came here.

[@David167projects]

You forgot to list centrelink offices.

[@majorlaff8682]

@@David167projects Sorry, but I only intended to mention establishments that were helpful and productive rather than parasitical.

[@colinmunro7337]

You forgot the introduction of the wheel

[@jackturpin7828]

Tell them they have to do it for free, that will stop it.

[@jasonwallwork4682]

But they won't have the balls to do it

[@PeterMooney-tq3ek]

It's time to band together all of us are sick and tired of being treated like pawns in a childish game the political parties play

[@kathrynletchford5114]

Hell yes. Those lazy bleeps can hardly get off their butts to do anything.

[@philexton]

It isnt cultural sensitivity stopping costs being divulged - it is the fact that it is a lucrative scam for the aboriginal activists - who does the money go to - not one cent to the remote indigenous community.

[@74KU]

"cultural sensitivity" of a 47 year old practice? I mean at that point Australia Day is even more "culturally sensitive" and the Government should be paying for my beer and snags!

[@daniello9155]

Exactly the loudmouth activists who do not represent the whole community, just a select few.

[@juliamclachlan1836]

What another RORT at the tax payers expense!

[@74KU]

Its how the system works, You are sent to school from age 3-4 to learn to be a good cog in the money printer.. you then spend every useful year of your life working in said printer for our overlords.. you die, you are replaced with another good cog..

[@Leosarebetter]

There needs to be a Truth Telling Session - about how a small % of the population are given rights and funding not available to rest of the 98% of the population. About how aboriginal things are made up and embraced and indoctrinated as truth. About how indigenous communities are some of the most violent, dysfunctional, abusive, child endangering communities that exist. About how those communities have the absolute worst health (but still maintain that they need "land") About how some $27BILLION is outlaid every year on these select few, about how the land they are on, they treat like a dump. About how red haired, white skinned indigenous people are "oppressed" and have more rights and access to money than your kids. About how the Australian Govt spent $25Million of taxpayer money on getting back the aboriginal flag that they themselves sold off. About how come at every level of Local, State, Federal Govt there are thousands of Departments whose sole purpose is to look after indigenous people, whilst spending $million upon $Millions each year on aboriginal people. About how every single company, health care facility has aboriginal special phrases (welcome/acknowledge etc) and special places just for them. About how every educational institution mandates the indoctrination into their view of aboriginal people and culture (no other view point is tolerated) About how Australia is now on the tipping point of being divided by race in the Constitution - which WILL lead to a separate aboriginal "country/ies" in what was once known as Australia. About how indigenous cost $Billions annually on the jailing and the property damage that they wreak on the rest of society. About how the indigenous destroy other Australians lives and lively hoods by their violent actions. About how almost all Politicians will not stand up to the indigenous lobby. About why is there no funded NO campaign? being as important as a change to the constitution is, those that vote need to be fully informed. About how the yes campaign is funded and what exactly will it mean to have an un-elected body that will veto legislation and punish Politicians that do not tow the line. Yes, we need a Truth Telling session..... But the indigenous will not like the truth.

[@bettysteve322716]

secret womens business lol.

[@moralityisnotsubjective5]

Sounds like you have a similar problem to us in the US. Though for us it's not necessarily the indigenous making the problems though they like to claim they are the original people instead of those we call the indigenous people.

[@missnovaxx9992]

So good to hear someone say this so succinctly 👏 I agree with every single word!

[@charlestunstall4700]

Just curious will the truth telling include how the land was taken from them, how families and tribes were wiped out shot, thrown off cliffs, poisoned, mixed race children taken from families for assimilation being forced onto concentration camps that are called “settlements “ thereby preventing them from continuing their cultural ways. Not to mention the occasional bit of racism being aimed at them by “so called” Australians. Do you understand the depression that these actions infect into people who are forced to live in a world they never asked for. Maybe a bit of empathy is missing from your opinions and comments

[@tclark2311]

Yes indigenous police were contracted to do that and had no care for other tribes

[@nigelmorgan3449]

He won’t tell you because the rate payer pays the bastards

[@PhillipJACKSON-lu2vb]

Snouts in the trough. No wonder we owe a trillion dollars.

[@mariahewitt9787]

All those smoking ceremonies? Whatever happened to net 0.

[@wyattfamily8997]

They're paid more for "smoking ceremonies".

[@74KU]

@@wyattfamily8997 And are allowed to set fire to whatever they please with them too!

[@jameswillis8969]

If indigenous people want their own country then cancel their passports and centrelink benefits

[@kathrynperry992]

And we should shut down all of the pubs and bottle shops.

[@kathrynletchford5114]

And they can give back, all of white fellas stuff. Phones, cars, food houses, clothes, shoes, and don't dare expect to turn up at a white fellas hospital, and get treated for free. What a bunch of ungrateful assholes.

[@TheHandymanQld]

Give them land. Move them all onto it. Fence it off to the White mans world and they can live happily ever after, without White man's electricity and shops and money and cars and supermarkets and clothes etc ...

[@Aisha726]

@@kathrynperry992yes shut it down and you won’t able to drink alcohol as well. Aboriginals are not the only ones drinking alcohol

[@uwemoyela5973]

oh yeah, first you steal their land and then you throw them out of their own land... great idea. Why arent you sitting in the goverment? LOL

[@Rosemary-vz1ss]

Well done PM. I will be very interested to hear how much public money is spent paying for 'Welcome to Country' ceremonies.

[@susancohen8009]

When the citizens get together and peacefully protest, everywhere, then they will listen and stop the insane spending which probably lines their pockets also

[@PeterMooney-tq3ek]

I think the time has passed for peaceful protesting no one is listening radical measures are required

[@74KU]

@@susancohen8009 It was tried in Canberra over the Jab Mandates.. its was all swept under the rug and the people were moved on by police for Trespassing.. in the same ground that the "tent embassy" which has been "trespassing" for 50 years! Sadly (and I am not advocating for it, just explaining) Civil War is about the only thing that has a chance at this point and frankly whatever comes out of it will end up being just as corrupt and disgusting as what it replaces.. this is the way of power.

[@ballaratboy1]

This is outrageous really! Our medical system is in chaos with people suffering in pain for up to 12 months or longer waiting for procedures and yet they waste our money on this.

[@laurawilliams1090]

My family had a lovely ‘welcome to country’ when we emigrated to Australia six years ago. We got on the bus at the airport, the driver asked how long we were staying and we told him we were moving here permanently. He went on to announce it to everyone on the bus and they all cheered us and gave us a round of applause. It cost nothing, but it meant the world. The official “Welcome to Country” has nothing to do with welcoming people - it’s all about making the “hosts” feel important and superior, constantly emphasising how noble they are for giving the rest of us permission to be here and demanding that we pay our respects to them. The endless repetition is irritating enough as an outsider, so goodness knows how it feels to people who were actually born in Australia and have as much right to be here as any person with Aboriginal heritage.

[@UberMick]

Correct, pure virtue signalling at its worst.

[@BobLouden-r9q]

I'm not going to welcome you, what I'll say is .Enjoy your new life here and thankyou for choosing Australia as your home. From a member of a combined 11 generations of being born here.

[@wildwestjanbutcher650]

You are so right! I immigrated here with my family in 1967. By the time I could afford to return to the UK for a holiday I was in my fifties. When I arrived at Glasgow airport the man checking my passport commented that I had been gone a while. When I told him how long it had been he said “welcome home”. Those two words from a complete stranger meant the world to me, much more than this artificial tripe they keep shoving at us at every opportunity.

[@marylacapp7262]

Exactly 100%🎯

[@James-kv6kb]

Could I be one of the first to say that you're not an outsider anymore you're an Aussie now and we all welcome you and that didn't cost a bloody thing to say that

[@ideaphile]

The only thing more inane than being regularly welcomed to your OWN country is actually paying for the privilege.

[@viorica8402]

Your "OWN" country? For how many "generations" born Down Under is your family? The "stolen lands" of Americas and Australia.... How much was the cost for the Aboriginal populations?....Their existence? As in usa, "new Australians" were "invited" to come and replace the local populations. They are the most disadvantaged populations of Australia today. As for all the western countries, the mass immigration is not welcomed, especially if not from UK. There is a solution, so: to invite and help them (Aboriginals) to learn the "occidental sciences", acknowledging their cultural traditions, and perhaps helping them to retain a well paid job in the modern society, but not as a "tolerate" situation, the "positive discrimination", but real help, with patience and struggle and effort, and not in "social work" only It's not simple to be the one who don't "belong there", especially in THEIR OWN country! P.S. I visited Australia, I found it beautiful, I learned a lot, but I'm not there. And if you don't agree with "my English", I'll ask my money back, Aussies! (I had marvelous teachers in Australia, however, "native English speakers"!)

[@boingkster]

@@viorica8402 wow, that's one of the most ill-informed and racist things I've read. Far out mate. Just stop.

[@falconmclenny7284]

​@@viorica8402hush racist.

[@123452315]

Oy vey goyim 🤠🤠🤠🤠

[@cobar5342]

@@viorica8402 If white people never came here, the aboriginals would still be living from day to day in privation and uncertainty. They would have NO modern amenities that even the most radical of them are very happy to enjoy. If they want to go back to the stone age they can. But they will not, of course

[@stevewiles7132]

I was welcomed to this country in 1963 by Sir Rowen Delacombe when I arrived in Melbourne, having sailed from England on Australia day. THAT is all the welcome I need.

[@74KU]

1963 was still 12 years before Ernie invented "Welcome to Country" even if you wanted to experience this ancient cultural right of 47 years ago.. Makes you wonder, if this is protected due to it being "part of the culture" what 47+ year old "culture" the rest of us should be able to engage in with impunity..

[@piersculley6419]

Why are we being charged for a service we don't want?

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Because tax is theft. Why doesn't every tax payer get an itemised receipt of every $ of ours that they spend? Because tax is secretive theft

[@RohanGillett]

So certain people can stay at home on their Xboxes without having to work much.

[@lwf3723]

If Nicholas and the rest of his councillors love it so much, then they can pay out of their own pockets! I’m sick to death of paying high taxes on crap, and this is one of them!!!

[@matthewvranjes7879]

What a hog wash answer

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

So what are your going to do about it, comment on KZbin? Seriously, what are you going to do about it?

[@lwf3723]

@@crazyprayingmantis5596 what a stupid comment! The only way to stop these people draining tax money is to stop voting them into power! But idiots like you keep them in power! The real question is, “What are you going to do about it??”

[@kathywheatley6014]

agree 100 %, our tax will go up soon, to pay for this crap.

[@anthonybulger68]

I can say that a major T1 construction company in Melb is slugged up to $7k for a simple welcome to country… It’s all about money. Constantly have their hands out… Yet, what do they do with this money?

[@kathrynletchford5114]

That is what I want to know. Where is it going? I have seen abos driving around in Landcruisers, so I guess they can afford to buy expensive cars, and I can't.

[@__Diagnosis]

I was born in my country. I don’t want to be welcomed to it...I fly to a different country to be welcomed

[@jollygoode4153]

An interesting freudian slip, the first thing that comes to his mind regarding welcome to country is toilet paper, speaks volumes.

[@travelwithtony5767]

Imagine the sheer arrogance on any politician that refuses to tell taxpayers how their money is being spent in fear of hurting someone’s feelings…. Clown world. 🤡

[@steph4922]

Yes, he is welcome to fund any welcome out of his own pocket. Don't spend our money and say "this is small things", yes his family can fund those thousands wasted. I'm so angry. Everyone is under pressure and working stupid hours. He wastes our money and say he's proud?? He can get sack!

[@dont_listen_to_Albo]

Toilet paper doesn’t cost $7,000 each roll

[@mariahewitt9787]

In Australia toilet paper is a collectors item. 😊

[@brothermaynard3200]

Not yet.

[@dont_listen_to_Albo]

@@mariahewitt9787 only during the pandemic

[@mariahewitt9787]

@@dont_listen_to_Albo They are planning another Plandemic. Bill Gates

[@74KU]

@@dont_listen_to_Albo Have you been to the supermarket since lockdowns? Once there used to be 1/2 and aisle dedicated to just about every variety of poo tickets you could imagine.. now there is great gaps in the shelves and a choice of 2, sometimes 3 different packs all at vastly inflated prices (and the surviving brands are the ones that always sold out last pre-covid)

[@yasdnilknarf1885]

Nice to know that in Melbourne your money doesnt matter. Tax dollars of course.

[@dar7230]

Ridiculous

[@ohasis8331]

As mentioned, it's not a welcome since we are paying for it. I don't want my rates wasted on a repititous and unnecessary process.

[@steph4922]

I know. How dare he says he's proud and it's only small matters? We work so hard and stressed out everyday to keep a roof over our head. He wastes it all and he's proud. If he wants it, pay for it himself using his own money!!

[@ohasis8331]

@@steph4922 To cap it off, what is some unkempt bloke, daubed with ashes and ochres, with a bone through his nose and burning some green leaves going to do for the well being of the community. If someone wants to live in the stone age, I have no problem with that and respect the right to do so. However to insist that I fall in line with appeasements of money for an unwanted and baloney ritual, it's not on.

[@mreckes9967]

It's been going on here in NZ for years and our natives aren't even indigenous but they know when to stick their hands out.

[@BobLouden-r9q]

I find it so funny the Maori has only been in NZ for 7 hundred years.and call themselves indigenous.

[@steph4922]

But why people let them? Put a stop. Stop all entitled race from getting special treatment.

[@mariecameron1644]

Australians are being absolutely duped! this should be a crime! our poor homeless!!!

[@17amberley]

I dont need to be welcomed to my own country , i was born here

[@Fortnite87463]

You are not a first nations person clearly. Your family only immigrated here in the last 200 years

[@mariahewitt9787]

​@@Fortnite87463 There was nothing here, before the immigrants arrived

[@mrnobodytheuser2950]

@@Fortnite87463 The 1st Nation was built by the British, Hundreds of literal stone age tribes with hundreds of languages does not a Nation make.

[@matthewflinders1978]

@@Fortnite87463Stop insulting people and telling them that they are a visitor in their own country based on their race, because it makes you sound racist.

[@Fortnite87463]

@@matthewflinders1978 I am a white person who was born here. I can’t be racist to my own kind

[@SA-nv5tc]

There was no “welcome to country” in the past. 300 years ago, who came to the great southern land to be “welcomed”?

[@gundytiger]

The corruption is mind boggling

[@davidnapier2971]

Sod the"welcome to country" I don't need to be welcomed to my own country

[@fireskycam9889]

It's become so engrained now, every person getting up on a stage is too afraid not to do the "I'd like to recognise.........." It's no longer not just the first person on the stage doing it, but it's every person throughout the whole ceremony that does it. We've grown tired of it.

[@w2class]

Victimhood is lucrative.

[@mickden3155]

And very good when its all FREE

[@johnmurray8267]

Nick Reece is a perfect example why Victoria is BROKE billions in Dan Debt. $$$$$😂😂😂😂

[@kimyoung4554]

I was told to stand for ' welcome to country at a north coast council function 'I will stand for my COUNTRYS ANTHEM EVERY TIME .❤❤

[@benjones4866]

Too much, what a waste of resources. These people don’t deserve to manage our taxes.

[@andymartinez767]

This scam is bigger than the biggest scam from some overseas scammers. I am so sick of this Welcome crap. My parents migrated from Italy in the early 60's. I joined the military and did 15 years service for Australia. I dont need someone Welcoming me to Australia, i am Australian. What a bloody JOKE.

[@TheInvoice123]

Every gubberment staff meeting has welcome to country done by presenters, sometimes more than once

[@Pyjamarama11]

And private sector

[@really-tv6dn]

Please please please please please, no more 'welcome to country'. Please, i'm begging you 😥😥😥😥

[@treblesix8730]

Three points; 1. Why is it not in the public interest to know how much it costs? 2. Who is the cost actually paid to? Who receives it into their account? 3. Yes it was created by Ernie Dingo in the 70's. Story goes that some overseas dignitaries were being received and their reception wasn't going to schedule. Ernie and his mate cobbled this together as an ad-lib to fill in time and saved the day. It is not an ancient ceremony! I've driven cars older than this! Some of them were real smokin' ceremonies.....

[@userjoe4321]

We pay for this?

[@yowten8994]

True its not a welcome if you have to pay for it.

[@dodgeboy9052]

Have them do it Voluntary so they fulfil their Mutual obligation for Job-Seeker...

[@johncorlett3699]

a rort, just like the voice will be, but to epic proportions. NO!

[@elnielo1]

My ancestors were Irish convicts. Sent here by the British. Im pretty sure they didn't get a 'Welcome to country" ceremony. 😉What about a 'VOICE' to parliament for convict families?🤔😂

[@steph4922]

I know. They are so ungrateful someone came and improved the land and gives them free money that they did not work to get. I'm Asian migrant, and I'm thankful to the early settlers and I appreciate their hard work. I don't agree with extra handouts for people who did nothing for the country and just want more and more from hard working Aussies. They don't even think we belong here.

[@Aisha726]

@@steph4922excuse me?? They were forced to work for it with no money given. Whites committed genocide they killed their families, stole their children and treated them like they are not humans. This was the true history. Aboriginal people were not asked if the white people can share their land. It was invaded stolen.

[@b.dangerfield6499]

Don’t let him off the hook…. Keep asking!

[@MarkJohnson-dr4ws]

Australians don't need to be welcomed to their own country. Nor do Australians need permission (because that's what WTC is) to be in their own country.

[@boingkster]

Yup, thats right... they wouldn't all be clamouring to perform them if they weren't getting paid for it would they? Its ridiculous. I was born here, I've grown up here and I'll be damned if I listen to another "welcome" ceremony at a local event without making a point of standing up and walking out.

[@steph4922]

Good on ya! It's ridiculous. How many sorry and welcome do we need to say? This is never ending!!

[@chrisruff7803]

Nicholas's attempt to deflect the question by saying how much is spent in Melbourne City Council spectacularly failed. He is the Deputy Lord Mayor and he can find the answers very quickly. He should have said I will find out and the following week give them the figures. He would have nipped their line of questioning straight away. In the end he looked sneaky.

[@sheenanuske5276]

He is sneaky & weak, a true poly

[@punk46664]

The only welcome to country I've ever needed was the day I received my citizenship at 18

[@Peter_Thorpe]

So sick of it,it's so degrading for normal Australians...it's like someone has to be invited everyday and everytime one enter his/her own house..it's so depressing ,it rejects your very existence and sense of being...

[@SA-nv5tc]

If it’s a minor matter, why do you bother doing the Welcome to Country!

[@JamesSmith-xk1fb]

ask any aboriginal in the room how they feel during it. they fucking hate it.

[@steph4922]

I know. How dare he says he's proud and it's only small matters? We work so hard and stressed out everyday to keep a roof over our head. He wastes it all and he's proud. If he wants it, pay for it himself using his own money!!

[@truefactjack]

Typical more hand outs

[@madddevil1]

He thinks taxpayers money is a minor thing

[@willie2761]

He has never actually worked so he doesnt understand

[@TheRoark85]

Why don't they have welcome to the country declarations at all UK governmental meetings, declaring that the land always has & always will belong to the natives, like we do here???

[@willie2761]

You cant say that ! Thats WACIST innit !

[@frednerk3477]

Nicholas - the "tradition" to which you refer was made up by an aboriginal comedian and a journalist in recent history. At a gathering of the indigenous people in the Pacific area, the various attendees from the islands performed something related to their culture and the group representing Australia's aboriginal people realised they had nothing to offer. So Ernie and the other guy worked on it overnight and presented their invented "welcome to country" the next day as a tradition. It is all BS!

[@steventurner8428]

If I get some white paint, red or yellow nappies, some sticks to bang together, I know how to stomp on ants and start bush fires. Do you think I am qualified to audition for some easy tax payer money.

[@TorqueKit]

steventurner8428 :: You Qualify , bring your sticks , don't forget the Grog .

[@mariahewitt9787]

I want to see Albo do a smoking ceremony!😊

[@runestone1337]

@@mariahewitt9787 But will he inhale?

[@mariahewitt9787]

@@runestone1337 I hope so.

[@frednurk5158]

Great analogy, Nicholas, "I don't know how much the City of Melbourne spends on toilet paper and I don't know how much we spend on Welcome to Country." At least we agree on the analogy.

[@beautifulbanknotes]

I agree, welcome to country and toilet paper goes well together in the same sentence.

[@sturod2016]

FFS … The indigenous grifters are rife.

[@saneman8147]

Total leeches.

[@nolaparker9574]

Notice the mention of Ernie Dingo, He got paid 200 grand to go out back and talk them into you know what.

[@runestone1337]

Thank you. It's about time it was exposed for the modern invention it actually is. In fact, wasn't it slapped together by Ernie as a bit of a laugh and rebuttal to the Maori ceremony?

[@falconmclenny7284]

Ernie dingo hit an 11 year old child. Don't think anybody should be following his ideas.

[@brentonl2631]

Don't people know smoking kills.

[@74KU]

Not as effectively as the much older cultural practice of Bounties on Aboriginals!

[@justice1902]

Vote No Australia

[@AussieRoos]

The ATO welcomes me to country every payday 🤣

[@bigm383]

Nick Reece went onto the show to discuss the costs of Welcome to Country but doesn’t have the information at hand. Then compares it to the cost of dunny paper. Manages to disrespect the Aboriginals and the viewers in one fell swoop.

[@Adolf398]

Reece is a poonce.

[@woodyforest7308]

Who has the contracts is the question

[@mckenziehellenann]

Exactly and who pockets the money ?

[@GaryHuntington-m3p]

Who would ever think all this stupidity came into being , welcome to country . What a disgrace , money grab

[@SA-nv5tc]

Welcome to country is becoming so repetitive it has lost its meaning!

[@Peter_Thorpe]

Before Labor there was hardly any rate rise,before Labor the power bills were manageable, before Labor everyone was Australian, now rates are up,power has become unaffordable and everyone is now English,French,Italian,Japanese,Chinese,Indian,Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander...SHAME on Labor..Double Dissolution NOW..

[@NetoperekMordulec]

Australian tax payers pay to the "first nation" members a $50,000 a year - for EACH and EVERYONE - so what is different in this case. TAX payers will pay and have their mouths shut as always!

[@kittykat5523]

If its done from a caring prospective, then do it for free.

[@PComp-t3y]

Yes, just like when NAIDOC WEEK has been 'forced' upon school students with the EXPECTATION THAT EVERY STUDENT DONATE $5.00 each. NEVER DONATED A CENT FOR SUCH NONSENSE. You want to talk for 20 minutes, do a dance and have kids paint native art ... YOU DONATE YOUR TIME ... don't expect us to pay you !!!!!

[@chucky.chunder]

Didn't Ernie Dingo kick this off !!!

[@AndyMetz-x6q]

Being "welcomed" to your own country?? A big "Horse Laugh" from N. America!! I would call this a BIG middle finger to Australians.

[@johnmckenzie-rm3jh]

Between you and Capp you have stuffed up the city of Melbourne Nicolas! And you are continuing to do so.

[@annbarker7707]

It doesn’t surprise me at all, we need to give them a good shakedown once and for all. Very easy to spend other people’s money. Keep going guys you have a lot of support out here. 🙏🙏🙏

[@christinecavanagh5906]

Why should we haveca welcome to country when we already live here ,its ludicrous

[@clemfandango619]

It is a tradition stretching back nearly 17,000 days, though.

[@74KU]

Yup, yet MY ancestors (first freeters) were allowed to collect a bounty on Aboriginal Heads/ears.. that practice is more than 17,000 days old so must be culturally respected.. Would also stop a lot of these 2% Aboriginals ignoring 98% of their DNA..

[@adampritchard1154]

I think being welcomed to our own country is just plain ridiculous

[@lulurosenkrantz3720]

Not 17000 years ago . 10 years ago Earnie ( fake accent ) Dingo invented it .

[@BobLouden-r9q]

@@lulurosenkrantz3720 get it right.he said 17000 DAYS, Not year's.and 1976 was 46years ago. Not 10.

[@MG-bv8fi]

We need to make cut backs for this economy. These ceremonies need to be axed.

[@AlanDavis-ez5jr]

Welcome to country payouts is just anther form of left wing “guilt” money. Nothing to do with culture.

[@ce244]

Doesn't want to tell you HOW MUCH THEY SPEND, does he ?!

[@grantlucas6678]

Thay need this money to buy alcohol and drugs and fast food

[@brendansales8674]

Where I come from, they scab for smoke butts, drink masses of alcohol, play the pokies, sniff petrol, break into our homes, and walk the streets day in and out. What I see I don't respect.

[@fionaforward3358]

I block my ears.They even do it on planes.Absolute rubbish.I am an Australian and I find it highly insulting to be invited to my own country.

[@Jason-rs6co]

we dont need to be welcomed to our own country

[@niallbaron3872]

Welcome to country should only be done for visitors to the country

[@sarahberry3819]

We are paying for Ernie Dingo’s joke to NZ & the Cook Islands that they decided to call ‘Welcome to country’! and we are paying for a welcoming to our own country? How crazy are we all?

[@jenzag7621]

We've got to pay them our money, to welcome us to our country?

[@Zukfew]

"Because of sensitive & Cultural issues" seems like it will be the standard excuse now.

[@74KU]

If this is the case for a 47 year old invention, I want my "cultural right" to a Bounty on Aboriginal heads back! They stole my culture! They destroyed my people! I demand a Sorry speech and a rifle!

[@tometiger47]

This Deputy Mayor of Melbourne really should come and live in the real world.

[@steph4922]

I know. How dare he says he's proud and it's only small matters? We work so hard and stressed out everyday to keep a roof over our head. He wastes it all and he's proud. If he wants it, pay for it himself using his own money!!

[@kramrollin69]

I read recently, the it was our own loved comedian, Ernie Dingo and a mate, who were THE persons who invented the Welcome to Country, tongue in cheek, monologue. Apparently in 1976 at the Perth Festival, Ernie did this special tongue in cheek welcome, to a New Zealand troupe visiting the festival. It was a JOKE. About time it was dropped really. The True traditional welcome of the Aboriginal people was via a Message stick, and a stand off with spears, then a gathering, so I have read. I cant stand all these woke Radio stations etc Welcoming me, every time there is a new presenter. BTW, Do the British have a Welcome to Country for all the immigrants, illegal and otherwise, Every time they play a sport or do anything?

[@BelloBudo007]

The radio station WTC is really starting to grate on me. Recently I went to support a charity get together in a local park and when the WTC thing occurred, I was out of there. They completely lost my support. I actually find it offensive & more than likely complete BS.

[@74KU]

All true, what subsistence culture is going to 'welcome' more mouths to feed? Here we are 60,000 years later (if you believe it) and they are still fighting, arguing with one another and screaming "get off our land" to anyone who isn't part of "their.. nation"

[@williamboney7371]

Labor’s wasteful behaviour,every time they are in Government they spend the savings and more on rubbish.

[@jefffoster8859]

Nicholas states we are sweating the small stuff - agreed. Let's take this money and all that is splashed on other small stuff issues and tackle the real issues like housing shortages, health and community needs.

[@steph4922]

I know. How dare he says he's proud and it's only small matters? We work so hard and stressed out everyday to keep a roof over our head. He wastes it all and he's proud. If he wants it, pay for it himself using his own money!!

[@ashleyleboydre7751]

I was born here, I served my country for over 28 years, I have and continue to pay taxes. I do not need to be welcomed to my country, my place of birth. I expect my taxes to go to more deserving things. Eg Hospitals elderly care, education, farmers, defence. A welcome to country should not be paid for, it then looses the welcome. It says we are being paid to let you be here.

[@mariaf4643]

not only do i have to be welcomed to MY OWN COUNTRY, i have to pay for the bloody privilege as well!!!!!🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

[@andrewgordon6179]

Did Nicholas just relate welcome country to toilet paper?

[@johncoupland6359]

I won't be welcomed to my own country, because I am a proud Australian and I will only stand for our National Anthem.

[@tonidantonio9877]

Could we please close the gap and open the door to a transparent, honest audit and investigation into all spending wasted on this and also what is actually spent on the indig3nous and other government spending. If 30 billion dollars a year is received there should be no problems with anything. To my knowledge they receive free housing, which a lot of times are burned down and trashed. Why are we not speaking about this. And fyi to the dis and mis and fact checkers, get out in the communities and see for yourselves. We all need help, some more than others. And no am not going to pay rent on top of the taxes we already pay just for groups and govos to spend on their lifestyles. Thank you. Amen.