Sunrise -Guestheer Nat Barr has called the government the government over the past three years about the half million dollars that are welcome to national ceremonies.
Figures obtained under freedom of information show that more than $ 100,000 were spent on the events by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and trade under the current leadership of Anthony Albanese.
That is on top of the $ 450,000 issued by other government agencies to the ceremonies in the same period during a national costs of living.
The spokesperson for the Coalition Efficiency, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, is considering to remove part of that financing and has described the expenditure as an example of merely symbolism of the government.
'I don't believe we should spend [that amount] A term on welcome in the country when that doesn't really improve the life of a marginalized, indigenous Australians, said Price.
Barr wondered if the welcome to land and smoking ceremonies should be so expensive in the episode of Sunrise on Wednesday.
'$ 550,000, of course a lot of tax money. Is there anyway to reduce some of those costs? “Barr asked Minister for Housing Clare O'Neil.
Nat Barr has called up the Big $ 550,000 taxpayer account for Welcome to National Ceremonies that are held in the past three years under the Labor Government
“To be honest, I think this is a huge distraction. The big problem that our citizens are currently confronted with is the Cost of living And housing and our government are strongly focused on those two issues, “said O'Neil.
She then claimed that the coalition focused on the short speeches, usually done before sporting or community events, was part of a constant pattern that was “not consistent with Australian values.”
'Peter Dutton, we know that he was walking away the apology, he will not be in front of the Aboriginal flag, now he says he wants to make cuts to welcome in Countremonies.
“This just has a mean for it. We have this beautiful multicultural country because we are courteous to each other and respect each other's cultures and traditions. That is what the ceremonies are about. '
Shadow financing minister Jane Hume, who was also on the program, hit back and said she thought 'Everyone could accuse the price of Jacinta of being common or to take on cultural wars unnecessarily. ”
'We must not forget that every dollar issued is a dollar that has earned a different taxpayer.
'Closing the gap is something we discussed this week. Indigenous health results, educational results, imprisonment percentages are priorities.
'We have to ask ourselves whether this amount on Welcome to Country Ceremonies is the correct use of tax money. They occasionally have their place, but whether it should be this amount and this is often a question that I think Jacinta price will follow up. '
Taxpayers on the bill for 97 Welcome to the country and smoking Cerconies for two years to July 2024. Incoming Governor-General Sam Mostyn is shown during a smoking ceremony during ceremony in the parliament house in parliament
Mrs. O . '
Mrs O'Neil referred to a proposal from Peter Dutton who was announced at the end of January for small companies to claim offenses for meals and entertainment. This would be available for companies with a turnover of less than $ 10 million and excluded alcohol.
The policy would initially take two years to expand it. It would be covered at $ 20,000 per companies with estimates about what it would cost in tax revenues ranging from less than $ 250,000 to $ 10 billion.
The coalition claimed that it would support small companies, retain employees and give a boost for the hospitality industry.
“We are talking about national ceremonies,” said Mrs. Hume.
“That is a subject for another time,” Barr agreed.
