Peter Dutton's speech at the recent Coalition rally in Keperra, Queensland, outlined his party's approach to Indigenous policy, with a focus on auditing Indigenous programs and opposing Labor's treaty and truth-telling initiatives.
However his stance has drawn much criticism, with the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) and former Liberal Minister Ken Wyatt accusing him of sidelining Indigenous concerns for political gain.
The criticism follows Mr Dutton's recent comments on removing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags from government press conferences if elected Prime Minister.
Speaking to Sky News, he argued that Australia should be "united under one flag," and that flying different flags was "dividing our country unnecessarily."
Gunditjmara woman and VACCHO's chief executive, Dr Jill Gallagher, dismissed the comment as "baffling," arguing Mr Dutton is promoting the very division he claims to oppose.
She said that rather than ignoring Indigenous culture, all Australians should take pride in the world's oldest continuous culture.
"A vibrant and rich culture that is 65,000 years strong – a culture we should all feel proud to have access to," Dr Gallagher said.
"Rather than ignore our history, we should stand up and be proud of Indigenous culture, because it is a gift for all Australians."
Proud Noongar, Yamatji and Wongi man, Ken Wyatt, the first Indigenous member of the House of Representatives and a former Liberal Minister, also criticised Mr Dutton, saying his position contradicted past Coalition decisions.
He pointed to the former Morrison government spending $20 million to secure the copyright of the Aboriginal flag so it could be used freely by all Australians.
"There was no issue raised in that concept of a divisive flag then," Mr Wyatt told the ABC.
The Coalition's Indigenous policy, as outlined in the Keperra speech, includes a full audit of Indigenous programs, to be overseen by Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, with the stated aim of ensuring funds directly benefit communities rather than bureaucracy.
While the Coalition has framed this as a practical solution, critics argue it is a distraction from meaningful reform.
Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, joined the criticism, saying Mr Dutton was deliberately sowing division for political gain.
"Yet again, he's seeking to divide Australians and grab a few culture war headlines," Senator McCarthy said.
The timing of Mr Dutton's comments, alongside his broader policy platform, suggests Indigenous affairs will remain a contentious issue in the lead-up to the federal election.
While the Coalition argues for financial accountability and practical measures, Indigenous leaders and government ministers have warned that its approach risks alienating Indigenous communities, with concerns that policy decisions are being driven by political ideology rather than engagement with First Nations peoples.
With the Coalition rally marking the start of its election push, the party's stance on Indigenous issues will be closely watched, particularly in light of its opposition to treaty and truth-telling, and its broader rhetoric on national unity.
The challenge for Mr Dutton will be whether his policies resonate with voters beyond the culture war debate or whether they deepen the divide his critics claim he is fostering.
