It’s not a welcome to country, it’s an acknowledgement of country. Reporting like this is part of the issue and helping the ignorant stay ignorant

I remember when Qantas crossed the coastline near Darwin coming in from Singapore the captain would come on the PA in captain like tones to say on behalf of Qantas a welcome to all visitors to Australia,and for returning residents; welcome home..that felt inclusive and genuine

It’s all bull! Haven’t flown Qantas for Years!

Welcome to country existed as a practice by most, if not all, Indigenous people of this Country, well before white man arrived in this land. Country is the geografical space, different communities occupied and lived. It was practice to welcome friendly neighbours to visit the land or travel throught it to another country.
Although people arrived in this land and took possession by force, Indigenous people never give the land away, sonit was and still is their land. Therefore in past and current laws the land where the Ancestors, and they live is still their country. This is not different than the house and land you own can not be claimed by somebody else by taking it by force, and claiming it as theirs.
For those who are so precious about Australia, let we make sure they understand such country exist since Federation, 1 January 1901. Before this date there were Independant Colonies of the British Empire. White Australian did not existed as such. Before that date there were 3 group of people, Indigenous, British and their descendants born in a Colony, and by then, some migrants (as different from the invasors).
It is very nice that Indigenous people still willing to Welcome us into their Country (not Australia), but the land of their ancestors and now their land.
It is sad to see and hear people who can not forget their racist upbringing either in Australia or many other countries, when they try to justified their hate and ignorance.
It is sad to see a candidate to become Prime Minister of Australiia promotes racism, and more sad to know there are good people there that prefer to be like him.

How about a thankyou for the people who came to this country, fought wars, farmed & mined this great country it is today. Divided we will fall, together we will survive. Wake up to yourselves Australia stop blaming each other.

I have always believed in mutual respect and it’s no different on this issue. Otherwise it is a power shift that happens towards the group that is requesting the respect and assumes that all the others are not giving the respect which is never the truth, unless there are degrees of respect that no one else can see. If both sides respect each other, then they can have a solution that will be mutually respectful and fair.

WTC was received with patience and gratitude during occasions like KCII visit, international sports and state events. However, I do agree that it is being overdone and is losing its relevance and is starting to look devisive to all citizens.

This article misidentifies an Acknowledgement of Country as a Welcome to Country. It misinforms readers in the context of a contentious issue. It’s appropriate that Qantas have shown the humility, curiosity, and care to be informed by First Nations people and leaders in this space. It’s a shame that this article doesn’t do the same.

“The change wasn’t noticed until recently…”
Really?

I like so many others haven’t and will not fly Qantas because of all this nonsense. Get rid of it….just like the “Voice” referendum which cost us $500 million to achieve nothing except further divide Australians. Read this morning (on an “ABC” news site) where readers could submit their view re this “Welcome to Country” by casting a vote. 66% had voted “Get rid of it all together”. Doesn’t that say something?