Part 3/12:
The core controversy centered around the practice of “Welcome to Country” ceremonies and the broader question of acknowledgment of traditional lands. These ceremonies, meant to honor Indigenous custodians, have become a polarizing topic in Australian politics and society. Pauline Hanson, leader of One Nation, challenged their necessity, arguing that Australians have a right to be acknowledged as the current inhabitants of the land, regardless of its Indigenous history. She expressed frustration that many Australians, upon arriving in different states or participating in public events, often feel like strangers in their own country.