Unity Starts with Small Steps

When it comes to choosing unity over division in our nation, real change begins at the grassroots level. It’s the small, everyday choices—not grand gestures by activists—that pave the way for reconciliation.

This means prioritising the unity of our country over separatism and rejecting divisive actions, no matter how subtle. Take, for instance, the Welcome to Country. While it may have a place in specific contexts, its widespread adoption in recent years has, unfortunately, alienated many Australians from Indigenous culture.

The commercialisation of Welcome to Country ceremonies has further fuelled this disconnect. I recently discussed with Sky News how some individuals make their entire income from Welcome to Country fees. This practice has sparked backlash—not only among the broader Australian population but also within Indigenous communities. For example, the Juru people in North Queensland have banned Welcome to Country ceremonies on their lands due to concerns over commercialisation. They’ve criticized government agencies for using “preferred suppliers” who often lack genuine ties to the local area, perpetuating a form of modern colonisation rarely scrutinised by mainstream media.

Australians are growing tired of these divisive practices and are searching for a better path forward. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton highlighted one small but meaningful step: restoring the prominence of the Australian flag at official events. All too often, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags overshadow the national flag, or, in extreme cases, as seen with the Greens’ Adam Bandt, the Australian flag is absent altogether.

This sends a divisive message. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags hold cultural significance, but they represent specific ethnicities—not the nation as a whole. As Peter Dutton rightly pointed out, “We are a country united under one flag, and if we’re asking people to identify with different flags, we are dividing our country unnecessarily.”

Reclaiming unity under one national flag is a small but vital step toward reconciliation. It reinforces the shared identity of all Australians and moves us closer to bridging divides.

Yours for real solutions,
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price
Senator for the Northern Territory
Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians