WA:WA's Libs to keep 'welcome to country'

AAP General News (Australia)
08-13-2011
WA:WA's Libs to keep 'welcome to country'

A push within the Liberal Party to end welcome to country ceremonies has been voted
down at the party's West Australian conference.

The motion calling for all paid welcome to country ceremonies at government functions
and events to be scrapped was overwhelmingly knocked back by the WA Liberal Party today.

WA and Aboriginal MP KEN WYATT, who became the first Indigenous person elected to the
House of Representatives last year, says the move was inconsistent with the party's values.

Mr WYATT says those who conducted welcome to country ceremonies do so having been approached
in a free market society, that is fair and open.

ROD HENDERSON, the Liberal Party member who introduced the motion, argued such ceremonies
were divisive and racist as they acknowledged only one aspect of society.

AAP RTV jsj/sw

KEYWORD: WYATT (PERTH)

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