seems to come easily to the state and federal government. Here are the figures for the 2024 costs of "Welcome to country". Please note these do not cover the cost of the time used in also including an "acknowledgment" at the beginning of meetings, even meetings at which only three people are present. Nor does it cover the cost to non-government bodies or events.
REALITY CHEQUE
■AUSTRADE $13,620
■Creative Australia $26,755
■Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry $18,071
■Australian Taxation Office $10,139
■Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water $21,516
■Dept of Education $9660
■Dept of Employment and Workplace Relations $20,504
■Dept of Finance $6740
■Dept of Home Affairs $29,518
■Dept of Industry, Science & Resources $30,896
■Dept of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and Arts $35,618
■Treasury $2934
■National Indigenous Australians Agency $60,342
■Tourism Australia $9528
■Sport Integrity $13,384
■National Emergency Management Agency $7900
■Jobs and Skills Australia $800
■National Museum of Australia $24,540
■Attorney-General’s Department $21,684
■Australian Institute of Sport $47,003
■Dept of Prime Minister and Cabinet $41,801
TOTAL: $452,953Source: Government FOI
I know I have written about the "Welcome" issue before but this shows there is a financial cost to these things as well. Another early riser on Sundays has just sent this list through and asked me how many books would it buy.
It is difficult to answer that but if we look at children's books, which is what my correspondent likely intends, then we are looking at very least between fifteen and twenty thousand good quality books. These are books which would be suitable for children up to around age twelve.
Imagine how much more good that could do than a "welcome" which other research suggests a majority of people do not want. Put those books into schools with indigenous children and who knows what further good they might do. Yes, I can hear some people saying, "But they would have to be translated into the appropriate indigenous language" and "most of the books you can get for that sort of price are not suited to indigenous culture". No, they don't need to be translated. Indigenous children need to learn English in the same way migrant children to this country learn English. Yes, culture is important but so too is the culture they must learn to live in if they are to improve their lives.
I reckon that nearly half a million dollars could be better spent but perhaps I am wrong?
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