Should councils acknowledge traditional owners of the land?

Tom Elliott and the minister for local government have clashed over the City of Boroondara’s decision to make the ‘welcome to country’ optional at the start of council meetings.

The 3AW Drive host said he supported their decision, questioning what it actually achieved.

Tom Elliott said it was pointless tokenism, given the fact those giving the speech had no intention of giving the land back to its indigenous people.

But Natalie Hutchins disagreed.

She said it was all about showing respect.

‘I think it is a really important part of reconciliation, it’s a bit of an education process,’ Ms Hutchins said on 3AW Drive.

Click PLAY below to hear their debate on 3AW Drive