Sydney Morning Herald

Federal parliament will be required to acknowledge indigenous Australians at the first sitting after an election is held. Parliament approved changes to the standing orders, proposed by Labor, to include a ceremony to acknowledge the traditional land owners. The Rudd government held the Welcome to Country ceremony when parliament first met after it won government in 2007.

Leader of government business in the House of Representatives Anthony Albanese says the practice is another step towards reconciliation. "It (ceremony) is a key element of the government's step in closing the gap in indigenous disadvantage," he told parliament

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