Welcome to country overused: Noel Pearson
Does today's new public rituals highlight a spiritual vacuum in Australia?
Yes campaign architect Noel Pearson has argued that welcome to country can be overused, often resulting in a dilution of the meaning of the acknowledgement.
“I think we’re still in the learning phase [and] we ought to come to a consensus about when we use the welcome,” the Indigenous rights activist said on 2GB.
“When someone opens a meeting that's fine, but sometimes you see every speaker give a welcome, it cuts into the meeting, I can tell you.”
Mr Pearson's comments came after discussion of the use of the welcome to country by corporate bodies in Australia.
“I think it’s an important development but we in Australia are still learning, we’ve got to adopt a sensible approach to rituals in our public life,” he said.
“I think we need to adopt a sensible approach to these things.”
Mr Pearson also spoke on the Voice and about claims that the question posed in the upcoming referendum had stirred division.
“I think the average Australian, every Australian, understands the idea of an advisory committee, that is not a frightening concept,” said Mr Pearson.
When asked whether those voting no would be considered racist, Mr Pearson said they would “absolutely not” be seen so.
“This is our most sacred document as Australians, the Constitution, that’s why we’re so conservative about changing it, and that is how it should be. We should be very careful.
“Ninety-two words are going to change, we need to answer all the questions Australians are going to have about that.”
– James Dowling
Original article here