Cumberland City Councillor Steve Christou says he has received “overwhelmingly positive feedback” to his proposal to ban Welcome to Country if elected.
“Overwhelmingly, very positive feedback,” Mr Christou told Sky News host Andrew Bolt.
“I think the silent majority out there have now found their voice – they’re starting to speak up and become louder, and louder.
“People are just sick of it, there have been a few trolls online, but they’re just gutless, faceless trolls.”
Steve Christou pledged to ban Welcome to Country and smoking ceremonies if his party is elected as the majority in September.
Cumberland City Councillor Steve Christou has recently made headlines with his proposal to ban the Welcome to Country ceremonies, a traditional Indigenous acknowledgment practiced at the beginning of many official events in Australia. According to Christou, he has received “overwhelmingly positive feedback” regarding his controversial proposal.
Christou, who served as the Mayor of the council between 2017 and 2022, announced that these Indigenous ceremonies would be eliminated if his newly launched party, Our Local, is elected. Instead, he plans on focusing more on delivering cost of living relief for his constituents.
The Welcome to Country ceremony is considered by some to be an important gesture of respect towards Australia’s original inhabitants. However, Christou believes that the ceremony has become “overdone and watered down,” sparking a fervent public debate over its continued relevance.
The councillor’s pledge to end traditional Indigenous ceremonies if re-elected has sparked a heated public discussion, with some supporting his stance while others decry it as disrespectful and divisive.
Despite the controversy, Christou remains steadfast in his conviction. If elected in the upcoming September election, he has vowed to axe ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremonies, marking a significant shift in policy and potentially setting a precedent for other councils across Australia.
In the face of potential backlash, Christou and his party seem prepared to stand their ground. It remains to be seen how this bold move will impact the upcoming election and what it could mean for the future of traditional Indigenous ceremonies in Cumberland City and beyond.
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