Recently the conservative Victorian Government moved to make the Welcome to Country and the Acknowledgement of Country ceremonies an optional item at government events and functions. This is a concerning move and one that I hope is not taken up by the conservative NSW Government. These ceremonies are vital for our journey toward reconciliation with the First Peoples of this land. A Welcome to Country acknowledges that we stand on aboriginal land. It acknowledges past wrongdoings and seeks future reconciliation and it acknowledges the unique position aboriginal people hold in Australia's history and culture. It is important that NSW First Peoples do not have their Welcome to Country or Acknowledgement of Country reduced in status to an optional agenda item.

Below is the speech Linda Burney the Labor Member for Canterbury and Deputy Leader of the Opposition gave at National Congress of Australia's First People on the 8th of June. It is a great speech.