Sam Newman encourages Aussies to boo during Welcome to Country
Sam Newman has caused a stir after he encouraged Aussies to boo during the Welcome to Country acknowledgement at the upcoming AFL Grand Final.
The sporting legend, who staunchly opposes the Yes vote, told Daily Mail Australia that the traditional ceremony was being used for political power, and everyday Aussies shouldn't be forced to listen to it at events.
“If we are at all serious about the Welcome to Country and the nonsense that has suddenly taken over in the last 20 years from a completely harmless introduction by Ernie Dingo some years ago and people have latched onto it,” he told the publication.
“What about this, next time you go to a public event like the Grand Final or a football game or any public event in an auditorium and they trot out the Welcome to Country, start booing … or slow hand clapping.”
Newman, a white Australian, also mentioned that he believes many First Nations Australians share his views on the ceremony.
“Of course it’s being rude, and so who is forcing this nonsense onto us?” he continued.
“Who is telling us that we should be welcomed to (the) country that we live in, that we try and cohabitate, cohabit with all the people that have come here – particularly the Indigenous people."
“There’s so many people who say it and I keep saying it’s just a push for reparations and financial power. It is, and I’m saying, the next time you go to a football game, a final, and they trot this nonsense out just start booing and that’ll stop (it)."
Senator Lidia Thorpe was one of many people who lashed out at Newman's comments, as she spoke to Karl Stefanovic on Today to explain the purpose of the Welcome to Country.
“We all are on stolen land, there has never been a treaty, and a Welcome to Country is a way to bring people along on an understanding of the country that you are all living on,” the independent Senator said.
“It’s about peace and the whole message behind a Welcome to Country is about respect and bringing people together. And I think Sam Newman is — you know, he is not a respectful man at the best of times so he needs to educate himself and not be so racist all the time.”
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