I refuse to do acknowledgement of country - career killer?

dimes on 11/09/2025 - 23:25

This may be a bit controversial but here goes…

I watch people at a managerial level start meetings and presentations with an acknowledgment of country and I think it is the dumbest thing ever. I feel like if we really want to help Indigenous people then there are other more tangible things we can do, and this virtue signalling bs is more for us to make us feel better than it is for them.

Apart from acknowledgements of country, my work also does other things to "bridge the gap" which I feel are also pointless. I refuse to participate in these activities and I also refuse to do acknowledgements of country.

My question is, if I continue to refuse, would this be a career killer? Am I limiting my promotional opportunities because I don't want to conform in this respect? I just feel like we should all have equal opportunity to progress regardless of our political views, but is this reality?

Education & Work

Comments

                      • infinite on 15/09/2025 - 17:58
                        -1

                        @Muppet Detector: You are literally pretending to know what it's like for life as an Aboriginal person and attempting to project that imagined reality onto an actual Aboriginal - who has repeatedly now refuted your ridiculous asserions.

                        Do you not see the complete ridiculousness of what you are doing………..

                        • Muppet Detector on 15/09/2025 - 18:05

                          @infinite: Dude, how about addressing your lies that I called you out on?

                          I haven't pretended anything. I have supported my contributions with links to reputable sources.

                          It is you that is constantly caught lying and who has not only failed to address those lies when called out, but also failed to provide any evidence of your claims.

                          You've told so many lies in this thread that anybody who takes your word for anything without proof is a foolish blithering idiot.

                          You tell so many lies, you even contradict yourself and then refuse to clarify them when called out.

                          But you keep negging my factual posts if it makes you feel like a big man.

      • infinite on 13/09/2025 - 19:27
        +2

        Dude, what are you talking about? The assumptions about us in your comments are appalling. Outside of kids forced into disgusting living circumstances in the middle of the APY lands by parents who refuse to move to a location with basic employment opportunities and living standards, we're no different to any other person born in Australia turning up to school on day 1.

        95% of us Aboriginals live in suburbs surrounding major cities like everyone else. We have the exact same schools and opportunities as everyone else. I've never met an Aboriginal person that had a dirt classroom floor - do you think Aboriginals come from rural areas in African countries or something? You do realize that Aboriginals speak English, right……. right? There is no language barrier when we start school.

        Can you please explain yourself by what you meant in your comment "cultural capital and required skills to even access the Australian Curriculum" ??? You realize Aboriginals are Australian like everyone else & our culture is also being an Australian - like all other Aussies. We aren't developmentally delayed or functionally retarded because of our Aboriginal heritage. Like any other Australian, our results at school are going to be based purely on the effort we invest into our academics.

        Believe it or not, we can also use the internet like everyone else. We aren't trying to connect to wireless at school with our Didgeridoo's or something. The NBN don't discriminate against us because we are Aboriginal, nor do they prevent the public schools we attend with everyone else from having the internet. Our school IT departments buy internet routers like the rest of the country.

        You appear to be confusing equality with special treatment. We have access to the same quality of education as everyone else, what we get out of that education is purely based on the effort we put in. Aboriginals are no different to anyone else in that regard. Our parents sent us to school with the expectation of us putting in a good effort and being respectful to our teachers. The only kids failing or falling behind in our community are doing so because they have shit-tier parents who don't care and just expect everything to be gifted to them and their poorly behaved children. That sort of mentality is prevalent as a small minority in every community unfortunately.

        • Muppet Detector on 14/09/2025 - 06:37

          I've worked in the schools and communities I described.

          • infinite on 14/09/2025 - 14:29
            -1

            @Muppet Detector:

            I've worked in the schools and communities I described.

            I lived in them.

            Had no issues moving on from them like everyone else who put in the basic effort and time.

            • Muppet Detector on 14/09/2025 - 14:32
              -1

              @infinite: Calling BS on you.

              For starters, where is the high school in Bedourie?

              To where do they go when it's time to go to high school?

              How many qualified teachers at Bedourie primary school?

              And, if I worked in Bedourie, where do you think I lived?

        • Muppet Detector on 14/09/2025 - 06:43
          -1

          95% of us Aboriginals live in suburbs surrounding major cities like everyone else. We have the exact same schools and opportunities as everyone else.

          Do they?

          Try how about FNQ? NT? Bedourie, for example?

          You don't even know the circumstances of the very people you claim to represent.

        • Muppet Detector on 14/09/2025 - 09:06
          -1

          Yeah/nah, you've really triggered me.

          I'm not going to give you my cv, but let's just touch on education and internet for a sec, shall we?

          1) we only got a national curriculum in 2012 and then it took 3 years to roll out, maybe longer.

          Before that, the entire states of Qld & WA and NT had a lower quality curriculum than other states and territories.

          so entire states didn't have access to equal education before we even consider minority populations within those states and their access to a one size fits all curriculum.

          1. I live in a really major SEQ city and I don't have reliable internet connections 24/7.

          2. When Ms Gillard issued free devices to school kids, two of the schools my own kids went to didn't have the infrastructure to accomodate that many devices and these were major schools in a major city.

          3. Last time I went to Tasmania, I was staying 40 minutes outside of Hobart and we didn't even have reliable cell phone coverage far less reliable internet. I was with Telstra, and had best coverage, other providers? Not soo much.

        • Muppet Detector on 14/09/2025 - 17:03

          The only kids failing or falling behind in our community are doing so because they have shit-tier parents who don't care and just expect everything to be gifted to them and their poorly behaved children.

          That sort of mentality is prevalent as a small minority in every community unfortunately.

          Just saving this for posterity so you can't edit it out or alter it later.

          So, if this only applies to a "small minority" and 95% (according to you), live in major cities and surrounds, all with access to an equal and just education (something else you claim to be true), then how come 70% of Indigenous children STILL aren't meeting the minimum standards of Australian educational outcomes?

          Are you suggesting that 70% of Indigenous children have crap parents?

          • snorkey on 14/09/2025 - 21:45

            @Muppet Detector: was curious about the links. the first ones' font gave me major flashback.

            is it the reverse regarding the % not meeting minimum standards? like ~70% meeting the requirements in more modern times?
            like the PISA sample results look bad. Naplan and census figures look better and seem to indicate that the discrepancy is getting smaller.

            "The NAPLAN 2023 results show that on average, across all domains (reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation and numeracy) a higher proportion of First Nations students are in the Needs additional support proficiency level than non-Indigenous students. At each year level tested (3, 5, 7 and 9), over 30% of First Nations students fall into this category compared to less than 10% of non-Indigenous students (ACARA 2023b)."

            "In the 2021 Census, the proportion of First Nations Australians aged 20–24 who had attained a Year 12 or equivalent qualification (Certificate III or above) was 68%, an increase of 16 percentage points from 2011. The rate for non-Indigenous Australians increased by 6 percentage points over the same period (from 85% in 2011 to 91% in 2021) (Figure 7)."

            • Muppet Detector on 14/09/2025 - 22:12

              @snorkey: Excellent!

              There's definitely progress and improvement and it does appear that things are moving in the right direction.

              We just need to be a little bit cautious about interpreting and comparing the meaning and results of the data and leagues tables though.

              All of those testing and reporting frameworks (including IQ tests, the curriculum, and legislation) are created, interpreted and reported by the dominant discourse through the dominant discourse's lense.

              This is a well known problem, but there is very little that can be done about that, other than to just keep it in the back of your mind.

              It's no different than for say a gifted child or a high functioning autistic child. They face similar issues.

              What this means is that whilst they may have certain skills and abilities, they're not the ones that were testing, so when we report our findings from those tests, it seems to communicate that those skills have no value and this somehow makes them inferior.

              What I mean by that is:

              When I was workking in FNQ for example, I met 5 & 6 year old kids speaking 3 or 4 different languages, but one of them wasn't English.

              And more often than not, they had more advanced mathematical abilities than their city counterparts too.

              Then we measure their achievements via NAPLAN, and tell them that they're failing iykwim.

              See, gr 3 NAPLAN, is written for kids with about 8 years English immersion, whereas these kids are using the same tests with only three years English immersion.

              These kids were hunting, cooking and otherwise engaging far better than most city kids I ever came across, and definitely better behaved - just a greater social maturity and propensity to being calm.

              That's where all the cultural capital and capacity for social mobility factors come into, but that isn't measured by the tests and reporting we typically use and apply.

              Anyway, some of those links explain this much better than I have and in far more depth.

              Cheers for taking the time to have a look at them.

    • Eeples on 13/09/2025 - 23:19
      +2

      How? What am i missing

      Explicit, implicit, and structural discrimination.

      • McFly on 14/09/2025 - 01:03
        -1

        You've learnt your Leftist talking points well I see.

      • SuperMid on 14/09/2025 - 17:44
        +2

        Every migrant has been discriminated against at some point in their life, especially anytime in the 90's or prior

        So, once again, why can every other migrant make something of themselves coming to Australia, but for some reason, aboriginals just cannot

        A proper answer and not just media keywords would help.

        • Muppet Detector on 15/09/2025 - 16:19
          -1

          Scroll back a few posts, I've provided some links to some reputable sources of information.

    • p1 ama on 14/09/2025 - 21:10
      +6

      Immigration is always positive selection bias, the Greeks, Italians, Asians, Indians…etc. who come to Australia are often amongst the best and brightest in their home countries. Skilled immigration to Australia is difficult, and is generally only open to those who meet very strict educational, vocational, and character requirements.

      This is why immigrants tend to perform better than natives (Australian-born people generally, not Aboriginal people) because they are not a random sample of people. Comparing an Indian immigrant to an average Australian is like taking the top 1-2% of Indians and comparing them to the 50th percentile Australian.

      Aboriginals, been here for hundreds of years, get free education & housing, but still 'struggling'

      To be fair though, I think you're broadly overstating the benefits that Aboriginal people get. You are right in limited circumstances, but none of the Aboriginal people I know (who are successful professionals) got the same free education available to any Australian, and certainly didn't get any free housing.

  • YodaBaby on 13/09/2025 - 09:04
    +2

    Maybe just say your religious beliefs forbid you doing all this and lets see what they say. Everything is "tied" to religious reasoning (or rather excuse) these days. 🤷‍♂️

  • jaimex2 on 13/09/2025 - 09:26
    +2

    I say I can't do them due to religious reasons and for people to please respect my beliefs.

    If you need to go into it further say you are learning about Jehovah's witnesses. They can only acknowledge Jehovah.

  • shaybisc on 13/09/2025 - 10:25
    +4

    How do you participate in an acknowledgement? Hold hands or something? Don't you just sit/stand there and wait for it to finish?

  • gromit on 13/09/2025 - 10:46
    +2

    It is simple, just explain all the other tangible things you do instead of welcome to country etc. I am sure they will be very understanding given you are doing significantly more than them.

  • Oztx on 13/09/2025 - 10:48
    +3

    I think you are asking the wrong question.

    If it did, will it be worth it to die on this hill and to lose your job and promotion opportunity?

    If your answer is yes, then continue refusing. If the answer is no, go with the flow.

  • shaybisc on 13/09/2025 - 11:25
    +4

    You could do a John Howard on them and turn your back every time it starts.

  • uhohpotato on 13/09/2025 - 12:00
    +6

    "I'm not successful in my career and it's easier on my psyche to blame a culture war than reflect on my own work performance."

  • H3R34TH4C0MM3NTS on 13/09/2025 - 12:06
    +4

    Mate , if you ideologically opposed to it or find it cringe, thats fine,just play the corporate game. Corporate environments are not a safe space for dissenters. just suck it up and go about doing your job. if you really don't like it find a workplace which is more aligned with your values where these performative ceremonies are not really a thing. sometimes you just have to pick your battles. There are plenty of things I am ideologically and morally opposed to but depending on the setting you just have to hold your tongue and move on.

  • thrillhouseozb on 13/09/2025 - 13:54
    -1

    Nice bargain

    • infinite on 14/09/2025 - 14:35
      +2

      This is the discussion forum area, not the bargain section.

  • OzHan on 13/09/2025 - 14:33
    +2

    It has become emperor's cloth for most people.

  • Hvrd on 13/09/2025 - 15:07
    +4

    In a meeting with an aboriginal person and a white girl, the white girl asked him if he wanted to do the acknowledgment but he said it didn't feel needed haha

  • Rickysupertramp on 13/09/2025 - 15:56
    +1

    You did pretty well posting this on Ozbargain considering there's many the wokiest bunch of leftomaniacs this side of Stalin

  • tenpercent on 13/09/2025 - 16:07
    +1

    if I continue to refuse, would this be a career killer?

    Under His eye.

  • Logical on 13/09/2025 - 16:11
    +4

    Thank you. Not all heroes wear capes.

  • belongsinforums on 13/09/2025 - 17:16

    What a dog whistle of a post. All the one nation voters are here

    • SuperMid on 13/09/2025 - 20:02
      +2

      The fish and chips are supposed to be good

    • tenpercent on 13/09/2025 - 20:56
      +3

      Every federal election the proportion of this country voting for the uniparty declines more and more. Good riddance.

  • drspy00 on 13/09/2025 - 17:24
    +3

    Good on you.

  • youfnc on 13/09/2025 - 17:59
    -2

    Vintage rage bait and right on cue, the usual suspects pile in.

    • bargaino on 13/09/2025 - 18:11
      +9

      Really?
      If I ask politely, even the most left-wing people I know will say they are getting a bit sick of the "welcome to country", that it is very over-used. I don't think this is a particularly divisive question, unless you are deliberately rude about it.

      • youfnc on 13/09/2025 - 18:33
        -2

        Have you not read the 3 pages of comments?

        • bargaino on 13/09/2025 - 18:38
          +5

          It's hard to read tone here, but I don't get the impression that peopel are outraged. Like its not a big deal, but something that is a minor annoyance the first time, can lead to a need to vent after the 100th friggin' insincere posturing.

    • tenpercent on 18/09/2025 - 07:24

      Vintage rage bait

      Some might the say about the welcome to country and acknowledgement of country too. It's all in the past, dude. Get over it. Move on.

      • youfnc on 18/09/2025 - 13:39

        Imagine telling someone to move on while obsessing over a 5 day old comment.

        • tenpercent on 18/09/2025 - 15:05

          Twas but a bit of sarcasm.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 13/09/2025 - 18:24

    Everyone, this is so obviously rage bait. Don't bite.

    Just like their previous hot take https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/828340

    • bargaino on 13/09/2025 - 18:42
      +3

      Again, hardly rage bait. I'm sure it happens some places, and people are afraid to speak up like they would if it was the other way around. But is it a widespread issue? I doubt it.
      I think OP is honestly expressing his views and looking for validation.

  • dufflover on 13/09/2025 - 18:40
    +1

    It's sad that this can even bait so many people these days.

    I mean, I dunno what kind of job you have but it must actually be pretty good if this is the biggest thing you have to disagreeingly ~do~ sit through. Is it related to your job in "insert actual skill here", no, but jobs haven't been like that for a long while, much like the people who get disadvantaged because they don't want to do (say) networking events.

  • MessyG on 13/09/2025 - 18:55
    +3

    No it wont. What harms your career is how you conduct yourself and how collegiate and easy to work with you are.

    • SuperMid on 13/09/2025 - 20:02
      +2

      9/10 dr's recommend colgate.

  • TightAl on 13/09/2025 - 20:04
    +1

    Sounds like you don’t have much of a career to begin with

  • drspy00 on 13/09/2025 - 20:41
    +3

    Noticed the local hospital has Aboriginal names for everything, even entrance and exit but also plastered in Aboriginal designs and artwork. I was there for 11 hours thinking it's not for everyone, personally I don't like it but can see if it's a new rule in government buildings that makes sense. All this bending over to appease but it doesn't work. There was an Aboriginal woman abusing staff at emergency, clearly didn't appreciate the blessing bending over or artwork. It will never be enough.

    • tenpercent on 13/09/2025 - 20:58
      -1

      It will never be enough.

      It's got nothing to do with indigenous people though. We're just a useful pawn.

    • workerant on 16/09/2025 - 12:19

      “ There was an Aboriginal woman abusing staff at emergency, clearly didn't appreciate the blessing bending over or artwork. It will never be enough”

      This is EXACTLY the problem. People like above think they should all just shut up and conform

    • playerzer2 on 16/09/2025 - 14:34

      I wonder how much the local coop was paid to 'approve' the design…

  • isthisreallife22 on 13/09/2025 - 21:30
    +3

    I feel like if we really want to help Indigenous people then there are other more tangible things we can do

    How about you lead by example and show your colleagues and maybe they'll join you in making a real difference and also not feel the need for the stuff you think is a waste

  • p1 ama on 13/09/2025 - 21:31
    +6

    I watch people at a managerial level start meetings and presentations with an acknowledgment of country and I think it is the dumbest thing ever. I feel like if we really want to help Indigenous people then there are other more tangible things we can do, and this virtue signalling bs is more for us to make us feel better than it is for them.

    Are you suggesting that every meeting begins with an acknowledgement of country? Sorry, but that's utterly ridiculous. I've worked at several places which could be considered "woke" (though I hate using that term), including government departments and universities, and I've never seen every meeting open with an acknowledgement of country.

    I've certainly seen it as a regular agenda item at major workshops or in limited settings, all of which were performed by those who volunteered to say it.

    Apart from acknowledgements of country, my work also does other things to "bridge the gap" which I feel are also pointless. I refuse to participate in these activities and I also refuse to do acknowledgements of country.

    What activities are these?

    My question is, if I continue to refuse, would this be a career killer? Am I limiting my promotional opportunities because I don't want to conform in this respect?

    I'm going to make a nuanced point which I hope you think about.

    As someone in a senior leadership role, my view is that if you have to ask this question, then yes, you are limiting your opportunities. Not because you refuse to participate in certain activities or because you refuse to say XYZ, but because you lack the tact and people skills to be able to make your priorities work. It's easy to not say a welcome to country if you just wanted to avoid it.

    I just feel like we should all have equal opportunity to progress regardless of our political views, but is this reality?

    Here's my opinion - you don't just want to avoid participating in certain events, or avoid saying a welcome to country (because it's fairly easy to avoid those without any issues), you want to make it a point that you disagree with these things and express it boldly, and put it into the face of those around you. This is what's unsaid from your post, and if this is your approach, you will always find conflict and opportunities will not come your way.

    This is the difference between, when asked "would anyone like to begin with an acknowledgement of country today?", you stay silent (like most people in the crowd), vs. piping up and saying "I refuse to say an acknowledgement of country because XYZ".

    • srr on 13/09/2025 - 21:45
      +1

      Yep agree you have to be flexible in the leadership roles and move in tact with the line.

      It’s a token gesture of following the right narrative. Power hierarchy needs unity.

  • srr on 13/09/2025 - 21:37
    -1

    Haven’t Trump made all of it obsolete?

  • UFO on 13/09/2025 - 23:11

    Read it out from a card, monotone and looking down… like you're purposefully doing it out of duty, as quickly as possible.

    Your "protest" can come from displaying a complete lack of thoughtfulness to it, without jeopardising your career.
    It's a completely overdone obsolete meaningless gesture, and it should be treated as such.

    If you work in the public sector, it's required.
    But you aren't going to get fired because you didn't put enough "feeling" into it. You do it because you're required to do it… your feelings on the matter are your own.

    • p1 ama on 14/09/2025 - 11:59
      +3

      If you work in the public sector, it's required.

      No it's not, I've spent over a decade working at various state and federal government agencies and I've never seen a "requirement" to say an acknowledgement of country.

      I've only ever seen it at major events or workshops that perhaps happen only a few times a year. In all of those cases, you already have someone who has volunteered to say it.

      The idea that someone will be forced to say an acknowledgement of country when they do not wish to do so is nonsense.

  • snorkey on 14/09/2025 - 00:22
    +2

    genuine q - what does it do? how come people were happy with companies just saying it and not having to do anything else? does the monarchy do it before every meeting begins? how come it was decided not to be a national yearly day of remembrance both in UK & AU instead?

    i'd imagine a certain group would hurt more if settlers did daily acknowledgements and didn't give back the land - akin to rubbing salt on old wounds non-stop.

  • Brianqpr on 14/09/2025 - 09:54
    +1

    There really are more important things to worry about.

  • Wondrous8Leaf on 14/09/2025 - 10:15
    +3

    I host a large face to face meeting weekly for my business in rotating groups and must present the Welcome to Country.
    Out of 40 presentations I've had exactly 0 indigenous…. its a the point now i cut i down to one simple paragraph to save everyone's time.
    I'm the whitest old guy in the room and have had exactly 0 training on why its included, background or even the core meaning of 'why', its just was popped in with a 'you must present'.
    Considering all other content I provide is meticulously researched, documented and defined it has always seemed odd and out of place.
    If it has value to all, its proven to be needed I'm happy to present otherwise i feel like I'm just talking for the sake of it and honestly looking like a fool.
    It has it place, but the boardroom isn't it.

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 14/09/2025 - 17:34
      -1

      So you've done 40 presentations and still don't know the difference between an acknowledgement of country and a welcome to country?

      • Wondrous8Leaf on 14/09/2025 - 22:21

        You just totally proved my point right there, I present this almost every week and even the title hasn't sunk in. Shows how my company has educated me enough to educate others. Any other content though I know like the back of my hand.

    • MessyG on 14/09/2025 - 18:03

      Acknowledgement, not welcome. You can make it a single line, I don't think anyone would mind.

  • Guerilla89 on 14/09/2025 - 11:30
    +2

    Either you'll be singled out and called an ignoramus or everyone else will also sigh in relief and thank you for putting an end to it. It all depends on whether you a vocal minority that is offended or not and how HR will react. No one else wants to deal with their BS or risk having to put up with it.

  • shaybisc on 14/09/2025 - 11:52
    +2

    It's kind of a weird concept. Like after I steal your car, every time I start her up I'm going to acknowledge it. Am I going to give it back? Hell no.

    • Muppet Detector on 14/09/2025 - 13:54
      -2

      Until the true owner does what Eddie did.

      Take it to the High Court and make you give it back.

    • SuperMid on 14/09/2025 - 17:46
      +2

      Every single human being on this planet is a migrant, because we migrate.

      Anyone who claims an entire landmass is theirs and theirs alone, is the true racist.

      • p1 ama on 14/09/2025 - 19:09
        +3

        Anyone who claims an entire landmass is theirs and theirs alone, is the true racist.

        Nobody is claiming that an entire landmass belongs to any individual or any group of people.

        Many people comment on this issue without understanding the nuances of Australian history, the main points being (i) there has never been a treaty between Aboriginal people and new settlers, and (ii) that Aboriginal Australians are one of the most poorly treated indigenous populations of the British "new world" colonies for much of the time period before very recent modern society.

        Yes, obviously for most of human history "might makes right", but even in those circumstances, the parties have to come to a table to agree to some terms for how they move forward. For example, if one party decides to claim a parcel of land that belongs to another party, they would engage in a war, and when one (or both) sides decide to not fight anymore, they will come to the table to agree on the terms for a treaty. The "winner" will get more, the "loser" will get less, but in almost all cases in human history, the "loser" will not get nothing. It could be something as simple as letting the "winner" take the land in exchange for not killing more people, or letting the "winner" take some of the land but not all.

        These treaties are often detailed, written and consulted with large teams of lawyers and experts to cover many possible scenarios that may pop up. For example, who gets revenue from natural resources that are extracted from the land? Perhaps the "settlers" take it all, but it may well be the case that in a treaty, there are some provisions which say the "natives" are entitled to some percentage compensation (again, as an example). Many of the issues that we see today relate back to these core issues, and remain unresolved.

        The problem (in my "apolitical" opinion), is that this is not a particularly political issue that has been politicised by people who are politically-minded. Some people have injected particularly emotive language into the issue, which I believe to be unhelpful, some people are latch onto that emotive language and think that this complex issue is part of some agenda, and then you have the vast majority of people who are uninformed and otherwise would not care, but are being dragged into this by a toxic media obsessed with drumming up fear and polarisation. It's all quite sad, really.

        • meowbert on 15/09/2025 - 19:43

          Yes, we should have got land treaties, like Leopold II in Africa.

          • p1 ama on 15/09/2025 - 21:49

            @meowbert:

            Leopold II in Africa

            I did mention of the former British new world colonies, who are most comparable to Australia, for the most comparable cases:

            • Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840 between the British Crown and Maori representatives in New Zealand
            • Numbered Treaties (1871-1921) between the Canadian Crown and Canadian First Nations for westward expansion and resource development
            • In the US, many treaties were made after 1778 for rights over native lands in exchange for certain concessions (which included specific rights for native Americans, and in some cases, monetary compensation)

            It's historical fact that Australia is an outlier, denying this would just be living in an alternative reality. We can disagree with what we ought to do about it, but let's not disagree with the verifiable truth. In fact, searching "New World Colonies without Native Treaties" yields:

            Australia, as the only major Commonwealth country, is unique in not having a single, foundational treaty with its Indigenous peoples, instead relying on a complex history of negotiated settlements and the absence of such agreements during the initial colonial period. While other settler colonies like the United States, Canada, and New Zealand have formally entered into treaties, Australia's approach has been characterized by non-negotiation and land confiscation, although recent developments like the South West Native Title Settlement are being considered as treaties.

            Also, the comparison with Leopald II is silly because:

            1. There is no large group of people of Belgian ancestry living in the Congo today

            2. Is your standard for Australia that we be better than one of the most repressive and murderous colonial regimes? That's a pretty damn low bar.

        • Muppet Detector on 15/09/2025 - 20:09
          -1

          Cheers, thanks for that.

          Extremely informative and interesting. You've inspired me to do some additional independent study regarding those historical aspects.

      • leiiv on 14/09/2025 - 21:47
        +3

        Anyone who claims an entire landmass is theirs and theirs alone, is the true racist.

        The Crown does…

  • spy on 14/09/2025 - 12:14
    -4

    This is what first world problems look like, whilst oppressed populations are slaughtered daily by Zionists through our complicitness.

  • Uncle Leo on 14/09/2025 - 18:43
    -2

    It's a very stupid cross to die on.

    May as well tell HR you are a racist and be done with it

  • MindGrenadius on 14/09/2025 - 20:22
    +2

    I think the general sentiment is most people are pretty tired of it with the exception of the left-leaning white women tripping over themselves to appear more caring. I work events on occasion so I only see it periodically but it's been surreal seeing that evolution from a sometimes thing, to a regular token sentence in speeches and it just gradually morphed into this whole beast in itself.

    I wouldn't go making a big stink about it but I would try to stop participating in it if possible. Just play it down and say something to effect of "oh I wasn't sure we were still doing that". You would be surprised how many people are over it and sometimes people just need confirmation from the crowd.

    I'm glad I don't work in an office/corporate environment. I would want to request an "Acknowledgment of Civilisation" segment where we take a moment to be grateful for the blessing of civilisation saving us from a harsh and very scarce nomadic life and for our forefathers' sacrifice in bringing it to us.

  • drprox on 14/09/2025 - 20:25
    +1

    So you're a junior burger wondering about the future. Respectfully, if this is what you are wondering and putting out into the world you won't get the job anyway.

  • Darude Sandstorm on 14/09/2025 - 20:36
    +3

    I don’t do it.
    Anytime someone’s asked I’ve said it’s none of their business.
    When I’ve sat down with HR and told them about my Aboriginal Heritage and how I now feel violated and will be going to fair work they back off, weird.

  • haemolysis on 14/09/2025 - 22:03
    +5

    I feel like if we really want to help Indigenous people then there are other more tangible things we can do

    Why do I feel as though this is a rationalisation to make you feel better about abstaining, and you are, in fact, doing nothing at all?

    Which is fine. Nobody is forcing you to help out. But people who care to make real, tangible changes aren’t concerned about …casual mindfulness reminders for 5 seconds of a meeting.

    • tenpercent on 14/09/2025 - 23:31

      Why do I feel as though this is a rationalisation to make you feel better about abstaining, and you are, in fact, doing nothing at all?

      Because maybe that's just your rationalisation to make yourself feel better about doing something that is actually worse than doing nothing. You walk away from it subconsciously feeling as if you've done something good and so you're less likely to actually do something constructive.

      But people who care to make real, tangible changes aren’t concerned about …casual mindfulness reminders for 5 seconds of a meeting.

      5 seconds is off by at least a factor of 5 to 10. Multiply that over however many meetings you attend in a year and that's a lot of wasted time. Multiply it over however many employees attend those meetings and that's suddenly thousands of dollars or more that could have made a bigger impact being donated as a scholarship for one or more gifted Aborginal and Torres Strait Islander students who come from a poor background, for example.

      And yes people who care to make real, tangible changes are concerned because, as noted above, it's worse than doing nothing, and it's patronising.

      • haemolysis on 14/09/2025 - 23:42
        +3

        Oh, what are you planning to do with all 40 seconds you’ll save this year not practicing this brief moment of mindfulness?

        • tenpercent on 14/09/2025 - 23:51

          all 40 seconds…

          …per meeting.

          I notice you totally ignored the fact that even a small company with just half a dozen employees partaking in this ritual in every meeting could have instead made a real tangible difference to the life an ATSI student from a poor background. Forgo the ritual and pay for something tangible and constructive if it's really so important to you.

          • haemolysis on 14/09/2025 - 23:58
            +5

            @tenpercent: Yeah… no.

            Trying to pretend that you’ll be “doing something better” with the time is just what I said: rationalisation to make you feel better.

            It’s literally about 5 seconds or so. Most companies have a boilerplate single sentence - and quickly move on.

            If companies dropped it they’re not just going to suddenly have cash for an aboriginal placement or something.

            They’ll have a few meetings a year that have 10 seconds extra for a break at the end. Big whoop.

            It’s not some big investment we can “funnel elsewhere” lol. It’s a momentary acknowledgement that costs neither time nor money.

            • tenpercent on 15/09/2025 - 07:34

              @haemolysis:

              literally about 5 seconds or so

              If "literally" or "or so" meant "5 to 10 times", then yes. Otherwise, no, it's "literally" not 5 seconds or so.

              At a normal public speaking rate of 100 to 130 words per minute, the following VERY brief version of one of these corporate prayers would go for about 20 to 30 seconds. Usually they will go quite a bit longer. The example has been pulled directly from a website that has an annoying popup when you first load the site.

              Reconciliation Australia acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.

              .

              If companies dropped it they’re not just going to suddenly have cash for an aboriginal placement or something.

              Even a small enterprise or small team with less than a dozen employees participating in meetings where this ritual takes place once per workday would gain thousands of dollars of extra productivity by redirecting that time back into this crazy thing called working. And that's not even accounting for productivity gains by reducing eye strain (from rolling one's eyes back).

              And what is a better way to reduce their company taxes while simultaneously ticking a DEI / ESG box and doing something worthy of a self-congratulatory Linkedin article than by donating some of that extra moolah to you know actually practically and materially helping the people you profess to care about.

              But lip service is SooOoooOooo much more important, right?

              • haemolysis on 15/09/2025 - 14:04
                +1

                @tenpercent:

                Usually they will go quite a bit longer.

                You know, it's all well and good for you to exaggerate to make your point… but … are you really trying to have me believe companies "usually" have a statement even longer than Reconciliation Australia: an organisation which is actually specialized in this topic?

                I'd expect Reconciliation Australia of all organisations to have a more comprehensive statement, and even then, it's… two lines. I clocked 10 seconds on it. Imagine how much it all adds up!

  • kaleidoscope on 14/09/2025 - 22:20
    +1

    I refuse to do acknowledgement of country - career killer?

    👌

  • rezdo on 15/09/2025 - 07:24
    -1

    If you don't align yourself to the values and traits set out by the organisation executive, in your case the state gov't, find yourself a place that accepts does, it will never be a government in Australia. Racism won't be tolerated in the workplace, in any form, and I suggest you remain silent if you want to keep your job, rather than rage baiting on the internet about it, actually get back to work.

    Always was, always will be aboriginal land. It will take many generations to unwind decades of white Australia policy and the vile views that stem from subconscious bias towards our first nations people. A WTC is great way to get people talking about it and it's usually supported by cultural awareness training in most gov't departments, which is positive step to acknowledging the original custodians of this land and a move towards reconciliation.

    • SuperMid on 15/09/2025 - 07:59
      -3

      I'll copy and paste my comment from above:

      Every single human being on this planet is a migrant, because we migrate.

      Anyone who claims an entire landmass is theirs and theirs alone, is the true racist.

      • Muppet Detector on 15/09/2025 - 15:42
        -1

        Best you take that up with the High Court of Australia, eh?

        It was they that confirmed the 1595 Finder's Keepers laws in 1992.

        It's got nothing at all to do with race or birthright, it's about who has the legal right to possession.

        The ATSI weren't given provision for the possibility of possession because of race, it was given because they had legal possession when they were unlawfully dispossessed of their legal property in 1788.

      • DingoBilly on 16/09/2025 - 15:32
        +1

        Can I live at your house for free?

        Land was freely available within nature and doesn't belong to anyone.

        Anyone who claims land as their own and won't let others stay for free is a bigot.

        I too can make bullshit flowery statement to justify bullshit statements. :)

        • SuperMid on 16/09/2025 - 18:51
          -1

          So, all you want is free hand outs and not to actually work hard for it, like everyone else does.

          Now you know why no one cares about your cause, just a bunch of complaining free loaders.

    • meowbert on 15/09/2025 - 20:06
      -3

      Incredible cope, aborignals are a conquered people and the fact that courts entertain land claims is ridiculous

      • p1 ama on 15/09/2025 - 22:00
        +3

        aborignals are a conquered people

        Define "conqured people", the principle now (and also back in the colonial times as well, mind you) is that you can't just "take" or "conquer" land that is already inhabited.

        The parties must come to some sort of treaty or agreement as to how the future arrangement will work. This is how conquests have always worked for hundreds of years (well before the British came to Australia), and this is how wars have been settled and ended. The winner gets more, the loser gets less (sometimes nothing), but it's always documented who gets what.

        For example, what should have happened was that the British (or any subsequent colonial authority) would have entered into some sort of treaty or arrangement with Aboriginal leaders regarding how they will deal with each other in future. It may well be that the British were so powerful (and needed the Aboriginal people so little) that the only terms they would take was complete appropriation of the land. Had this been agreed, then you would be right, that there would likely be no land claims today.

        However, the issue is that no agreement or treaty was ever reached, so this becomes an ongoing issue. Australia is an outlier in this regard (compared to other former British new world colonies, e.g. New Zealand, Canada or the US - see https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/16909155/redir). The only way to get rid of all of these ongoing issues is to have some treaty that is acceptable to all parties.

        The political problem is that both sides of politics believe there's something to be gained by leaving this as an open issue, or they've just all thrown it into the "too hard" bucket and left it for future generations to solve.

        • tenpercent on 15/09/2025 - 22:45

          The only way to get rid of all of these ongoing issues is to have some treaty that is acceptable to all parties.

          If only we had time travel. Unfortunately no one back then is alive today.

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