Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has used the opening of Australia's 48th Parliament to push back against conservative criticism of Welcome to Country ceremonies, describing them as a "powerful way" to begin parliamentary proceedings.

The practice, in which an Elder formally welcomes people onto their traditional lands, has come under increasing attack throughout the year. Tensions peaked on Anzac Day, when Bunurong Elder Uncle Mark Brown was heckled — allegedly by a group led by a known neo-Nazi — during a ceremony at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance. The outburst was widely condemned as a "racist attack".

On Tuesday, Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Violet Sheridan opened the new parliamentary term with a Welcome to Country. Following her remarks, Mr Albanese told MPs in the Great Hall the tradition is a respectful and meaningful way to begin parliamentary work.

"This ceremony didn't take place until 2007 and was controversial in 2007. It is not controversial today. Nor should it be," he said.

"It is a respectful way of us beginning our deliberations here in Canberra, which of course means meeting place."

Aunty Violet reminded parliamentarians that walking on Ngunnawal Country comes with responsibility.

"It is not just about being here, It is about caring for this land," she said.

"As part of this Welcome, I offer you spiritual protection and safe passage. May you all walk gently, listen and carry the spirit of this country with you. May your journey on Ngunnawal country be of understanding, respect and shared purpose. Guided by the values of care, connection and community."

The Prime Minister said the Welcome offered an opportunity for all MPs to express unity and shared belonging.

"It is a reminder as well of why we all belong here together, that we are stronger together and we belong," he said.

"What a Welcome to Country does is holds out like a hand warmly and graciously extended. An opportunity for us to embrace and to show a profound love of home and country."

Mr Albanese also paid tribute to Aunty Violet, and acknowledged both current and former ministers for Indigenous Australians — Malarndirri McCarthy, Linda Burney and Ken Wyatt.

"With every step, we feel the echoes through history, the footsteps nearly a century distant from us now of every First Nations person who trekked to the opening of the first Parliament House down the hill. The footsteps of the members of the stolen generations who came to this place 17 years ago now to hear the words that they needed to hear, 'I'm sorry'…", he said.

"In the 48th parliament, we write the next chapter. Let us do it with the same sense of grace and courage that First Nations people show us with their leadership."

New Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, adopting a more conciliatory tone than her predecessor, Peter Dutton, also acknowledged the significance of the Welcome.

She told MPs the ceremony was a reminder that parliament "doesn't begin in isolation".

"As Australians, we share a story unlike any other, with an ancient culture, the oldest living in the world, rooted in land, language and story," she said.

"A democratic inheritance brought from afar but grounded in Australian values.

"Thank you again Aunty Violet for your welcome for the opening of this new parliament. May it set the tone as we recommit ourselves to the taking of practical action to improve lives and expand opportunities for Indigenous Australians in every part of our great country."

Her remarks contrast with those of Mr Dutton, who earlier this year said Welcome to Country ceremonies were "overdone" and should be limited to key events.

"I think there is, and people have said this to me as we've moved across the country, there is a sense across the community that it's [Welcome to Country] overdone," he said in April.

Mr Dutton had previously refused to stand in front of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, and was voted out by his own electorate in May.

Former Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, also criticised the practice, previously telling Sky News "everyone's getting sick of Welcome to Country".

In response, former minister Ken Wyatt — who resigned from the Liberal Party over its stance on the Voice — said the real division stems from the politicisation of Indigenous recognition.

"I'm disappointed with anybody who doesn't take the time to understand the importance of friendship, welcoming and acknowledging that you are part of the community and you're being welcomed into somebody's home country, home region, and to politicise it just adds to the division," he said in April.