Qantas quietly removes "acknowledgement to country" PA announcement on landing

[rigram]

Took a number of flights last week and observed "acknowledgement to country" over the PA on landing wasn't used anymore. Whilst waiting to disembark, I asked the FA about it, and she said "yes" it got quietly removed last week.

 

[gaz0303]

On my Dash8 flights into Sydney, it’s been replaced with a simple “Welcome to Sydney, Gadigal country. If you phone is in reach…” or similar depending on location.

 

[rigram]

On my Dash8 flights into Sydney, it’s been replaced with a simple “Welcome to Sydney, Gadigal country. If you phone is in reach…” or similar depending on location.

Yes - that's about it now...

 

[Franky]

Yes - that's about it now...

Thank the Lord most would say….

 

[Kendall Roy]

Would be interesting to know if on the board CSM is required to read out the alternative names, or do personal beliefs trump the company script?

 

[ANstar]

Still say they do it on their website and a quick google search says they have amended some of the wording. Seems strange to remove it around reconciliation week if it was very recent.
Don't JQ and VA still do it?

 

[milehighclub]

Would be interesting to know if on the board CSM is required to read out the alternative names, or do personal beliefs trump the company script?

When the PA was introduced however long along, Sydney was absent while they had discussions with local communities. Then I think they went to several countries acknowledged, then it was removed and replaced with the generic acknowledgment and now seems they have settled on Gadigal country.

 

[Aeryn]

Still did it when we landed in CNS last week.

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

The sooner this stuff is abolished the better. It must be terribly confusing for international tourists.

 

[Quercus]

The sooner this stuff is abolished the better. It must be terribly confusing for international tourists.

Disagree, it’s a unique part of our culture that we should all celebrate, just like how Māori things are commonplace in everyday NZ life. And more and more international tourists are coming here either specifically for Indigenous culture experiences or it’s a deliberate part of their itinerary in some form.

 

[Steady]

Disagree, it’s a unique part of our culture that we should all celebrate, just like how Māori things are commonplace in everyday NZ life. And more and more international tourists are coming here either specifically for Indigenous culture experiences or it’s a deliberate part of their itinerary in some form.

Disagree

 

[clifford]

Where else in the world is this sort of thing done? I don't recall hearing that much elsewhere...

 

[LondonAussie]

It must be terribly confusing for international tourists.

I think it's the opposite actually. As an Australian who's been living overseas for 10 years, I find the local outrage at it more confusing. It seems to be incited by local politics and media that's not really viewed much outside Australia.

edit: I do agree that the Kiwis have done a much better job of celebrating and embedding their indigenous heritage than Australia has. I don't think anyone is offended by the Maori greeting Kia Ora being used instead of English, for example.

 

[Daver6]

If mentioning the first nations name of a place where you land is the biggest issue you have then you're bloody lucky! Get over it and move on.

 

[serfty]

[Moderator hat]

This for many is an extremely sensitive issue.

As it does relate to travel, we would appreciate if members could restrict their posts to referencing the acknowledgment as now expressed.

Comments outside that narrow band will be deleted without warning and member(s) making such may be subject to further sanction.
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[/Moderator hat]

 

[SCM]

Thank God, I guess Vanessa saw the writing on the wall and wanted to get in touch with the times.