A federal media watchdog in Australia has come under scrutiny after it was revealed they spent $7,150 of taxpayer money on a two-hour online workshop designed to teach staff how to deliver more 'meaningful' Acknowledgements of Country.
Details of the Workshop and Its Goals
The session for the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) took place on November 27, 2024. It was hosted by the external organisation, Acknowledge This, which promotes the event as an engaging and interactive way to deepen understanding of Indigenous culture.
The internal promotion for the workshop stated it would challenge employees to reflect on their relationship with the land and its First Nations peoples. The goal was to move staff beyond reciting scripted statements and encourage them to make their acknowledgements personal and authentic.
Costs and Broader Context
According to the provider's pricing, tickets for a 'Government department or Organisation level' are $150 per person, plus a handling fee. Acknowledge This claims to have delivered similar training to more than 30,000 participants across the public and private sectors.
This expenditure aligns with ACMA's Reconciliation Action Plan, launched in 2023, which aims to strengthen ties with First Nations communities. However, the spending comes at a time when ACMA's own 2024 annual report reveals that only 7 out of 610 employees are Indigenous, which is just over one percent of its workforce.
The Importance of Sincerity Versus Tokenism
Internal communications from ACMA emphasised the critical importance of sincerity when delivering an Acknowledgement of Country. Staff were informed that a sincere acknowledgement can create a bridge between the past, present, and future.
Conversely, the message warned that a poorly executed or tokenistic approach could undermine the entire purpose of the gesture, rendering it a hollow formality rather than a sign of genuine respect.
ACMA has been contacted for further comment regarding the use of public funds for this initiative.
