Indigenous Leader Calls for End to 'Welcome to Country' at Sporting Events

Indigenous leader Warren Mundine has called for the removal of "Welcome to Country" ceremonies from sporting events, stating that the tradition has become divisive through overuse and political hijacking. His comments follow an incident at the Australia Cup final in Melbourne where fans booed an elder delivering the ceremony.

Mundine, a Bundjalung man and former Labor national president, expressed that the gesture, initially intended to foster unity, is now alienating people. "People are sick of it, quite frankly. And I’m sick of it as well," Mundine told the Daily Mail. When asked if the ceremony should be removed from sports entirely, he responded, "To be quite honest, yes."

He suggested that "Welcome to Country" ceremonies are best reserved for large, formal occasions, such as major international conferences. "It's a good idea for very formal occasions," he said. "And that's about as far as you should be taking it. It shouldn't be done anywhere else."

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Mundine believes that sporting events should instead focus on national symbols. "For international sporting fixtures, Mundine said flags and national anthems should be sufficient before play begins," he stated. "We're one nation... You have the Australian flag... And then you get on with the game."

The debate was reignited after Wurundjeri elder Uncle Colin Hunter Jr was booed by sections of the crowd before the Australia Cup final between South Melbourne and Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park. The booing has drawn condemnation from anti-racism campaigners and the Football Supporters Association Australia.

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"The FSAA vehemently condemns the booing and jeering that occurred during the Welcome to Country ceremony prior to kickoff," the association said in a statement, describing the ceremony as an expression of hospitality, inclusivity, unity, and respect.

Mundine also claimed that some individuals have used "Welcome to Country" ceremonies to promote personal political agendas. He recounted attending a function where the speaker, in his view, used the ceremony to push personal views rather than offering a genuine welcome, and was "getting paid for the privilege."

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Mundine warned that such incidents could become more frequent if the current approach to the ceremonies is not reconsidered. "Something that was gonna bring us together... is now dividing us," he said. "I think this is gonna happen more often."

He urged sporting administrators and national leaders to address the issue. "They've gotta wake up," he said. "Start bringing this country back together."

The Australia Cup final itself was a historic occasion, with South Melbourne becoming the first NPL club to win the tournament, defeating Melbourne Victory 4–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in front of a sellout crowd of 29,911.

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