NRL All Star game provides chance to debate national anthem: Katrina Fanning

The Canberra Raiders director said the council was yet to finalise their position, but expected to have a recommendation for the Australian Rugby League Commission early next week.

It was discussed at the council's meeting at the start of the week.

The Australian anthem has been thrust into the rugby league spotlight because it doesn't represent all Indigenous players.

Several Indigenous stars decided not to sing it during the State of Origin series.

There's been a growing awareness of Indigenous issues in recent years, with a move to change the date of Australia Day gathering momentum.

Fanning said the All Stars game provided the perfect opportunity to have a discussion about the national anthem.

As an Indigenous woman, she personally "had difficulty" with several lines in the anthem, but said the council was canvassing a range of opinions before making a decision.

Fanning felt the backlash against Indigenous players had been unfair, which was why it was an important issue.

She said the All Stars game was about more than just rugby league, but also about trying to shape a better community.

The ACT Australian of the year said it was a hard topic because they wanted the game to be for all Australians.

"It'd be irresponsible of us not to talk about the anthem because it is so topical," Fanning told The Canberra Times.

"Particularly how Indigenous players have been treated when they don't sing and we're working through a diverse range of views on a position to put to the commission.

"We understand the importance of it for broader Australia.

"We want the All Stars game to be inclusive for all Australians, but it's also an opportunity to highlight some of the inequality that still exists in outcomes for Aboriginal people."

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Gold Coast Titans captain Ryan James said the players had made their thoughts known and would continue their silent protest if necessary.

Fanning said there should be greater acceptance of anyone who chose to not sing the anthem.

It's a fair enough stand point given plenty of non-Indigenous Australians don't sing it either.

"Part of a free democracy - there's a lot of talk about being able to say what you want, that should also cover being able to not speak when you don't want to," Fanning said.

"You would think that same sort of freedom of expression of your views is protected both ways.

"But it does feel at times it's only protected when it's the majority view and once you're outside that it becomes a lot more problematic."