Poll divides Australians on Welcome to Country ceremonies ahead of AFL Grand Final

Australians’ attitudes toward Welcome to Country ceremonies at major sports events are divided, according to a September poll commissioned by the Institute of Public Affairs. The Dynata survey found 63% of Australians want such ceremonies removed from events like the AFL Grand Final, with support highest among 18- to 24-year-olds at 72%. AFL officials have invited Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Colin Hunter Jnr to deliver the Welcome to Country for the 2024 Grand Final and are set to repeat the ceremony at Saturday’s decider.

The Dynata survey was conducted among 1,007 Australians, with demographic details not released. In addition to the 63% calling for removal, the poll showed 64% believed codes such as the AFL have become too politically correct, and 77% thought athletes should not campaign on personal political causes. IPA deputy executive director Daniel Wild framed the results as reflecting a public appetite for sport to stay focused on competition rather than politics, noting that major finals around the corner have sparked this renewed debate. The release followed news that Australian Test cricket captain Pat Cummins backed a $50 million government program supporting climate initiatives in sporting clubs, a development IPA cited as evidence of political posturing encroaching on sport.

However, a separate national survey presents a markedly different picture. The 2024 Australian Reconciliation Barometer (ARB) by Reconciliation Australia surveyed 2,559 people—547 Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander respondents and 2,012 non-Indigenous Australians—weighted to reflect the broader community. The ARB found broad support for Welcome to Country ceremonies, especially among younger Australians: 80% of younger respondents supported such ceremonies at major events, compared with 55% of older Australians. The ARB also reported that 85% of Australians believe the relationship between non-Indigenous Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is important, with younger respondents more likely to commit to reconciliation (66% vs. 47% of older Australians). Multicultural Australians showed strong support for truth-telling (81% vs. 67% among Anglo-Australians), and about a third believed past wrongs must be rectified (36% vs. 24%).

Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine welcomed the findings as evidence of growing recognition of Indigenous history and the importance of improved relationships, though she cautioned that racism remains a problem in everyday life. The ARB reported that 54% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander respondents had experienced racism in the past six months, up from 39% a decade earlier, underscoring calls for governments to fully implement the National Anti-Racism Framework as a key tool to address systemic barriers.

The debate over Welcome to Country ceremonies has intensified in recent years, with critics labeling them divisive while supporters emphasize their cultural significance and reconciliation value. Wild’s commentary underscored a broader view that, as major finals approach, sport should be about unity and athletic competition rather than political messaging. By contrast, supporters of Welcome to Country say ceremonies acknowledge history, honor Indigenous cultures, and foster national conversations that extend beyond the stadium.

In the AFL sphere, the Welcome to Country remains a point of contention even as the league moves ahead with its grand final program. Uncle Colin Hunter Jnr’s involvement in 2024 and plans for a repeat appearance this weekend reflect the ongoing integration of Indigenous ceremonial practices into Australia’s premier football showcase. The outcome of this weekend’s decider, and the surrounding discussion, will likely influence how clubs approach cultural recognition in years to come.