Busselton City Council in Wardandi country in Western Australia has rejected a motion to include an Acknowledgment of Country before the start of council meetings.
Busselton Mayor, Grant Henley says acknowledgment at a government level was often done without sincerity and emotion.
Indigenous rights advocacy group, Reconciliation WA’s James Back says the Council has missed an opportunity to embrace reconciliation with Wardandi Traditional Owners.
Mr Back says he hoped the city would reconsider its decision as Acknowledgement of Country was now commonplace with many other metropolitan councils within the state.