West Australian opposition leader Liza Harvey has trotted out a "tired, lazy argument" in defending her party not starting its annual state conference with a welcome to country, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt says.
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Asked if it was a good look for the WA Liberal gathering on Saturday to omit the indigenous ceremony, Ms Harvey replied: "It is what it is".
"I think the worst thing you can do is for the sake of political correctness, engage in welcome to countries that aren't meaningful," Ms Harvey told reporters on Sunday.
However it was "entirely appropriate" Prime Minister Scott Morrison acknowledged traditional owners.
"Where it's appropriate, there are welcome to countries, for example the City of Stirling at their citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day," Ms Harvey said.
"It's fantastic - I'm a big fan of that but I don't think we should do these things just because you've got to tick a box.
"It needs to be meaningful and respectful."
Mr Wyatt, whose relative Ken Wyatt is pushing for constitutional recognition, was unimpressed.
"A welcome is about a modern, inclusive, respectful society," he tweeted.
"Even Colin Barnett understood that, which is why the parliament amended the WA constitution to recognise Aboriginal traditional ownership."
Australian Associated Press
