One of Australia’s biggest accounting and audit firms has launched an internal investigation after a senior partner made derogatory comments about the Acknowledgement of Country at a national staff meeting.
BDO Australia has condemned undisclosed comments made by a senior partner during his welcome address at the July town hall meeting for the firm’s projects and infrastructure advisory group.
The unnamed executive chose not to give an Acknowledgement of Country, despite it appearing on every page of the firm’s website.
Guest panellist Infrastructure Australia chief commissioner Tim Reardon then delivered his own acknowledgement.
Two other senior executives from the federal government’s independent adviser on nationally significant infrastructure investment planning were also in attendance.
The incident at the meeting, which was broadcast from Sydney across the country, is understood to have put BDO’s guests in an awkward position and upset staff, according to the Australian Financial Review.
It is understood the unnamed senior partner, who is currently overseas on annual leave, has since accepted that his comments were inappropriate.
BDO’s internal probe is ongoing.
BDO has launched an internal investigation after a senior partner allegedly made derogatory comments about the Acknowledgement of Country
The incident has reignited debate about Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country ceremonies in Australia
‘I am deeply disappointed by what occurred and that we did not meet the standards and values we are committed to upholding,’ BDO chief executive partner David Garvey told the Daily Mail on Wednesday.
‘The remarks made by the individual as described to me at the event are unacceptable, inconsistent with BDO’s values and do not reflect the inclusive, respectful and people-centric culture we expect across our firm.
‘BDO is doing significant work to embed respectful practices, foster cultural understanding and build strong relationships with First Nations stakeholders.’
‘We do not tolerate conduct that undermines these commitments. I can confirm that we are aware of the matter raised and are treating it seriously.’
Mr Garvey said an internal investigation was under way to establish what occurred and determine the appropriate next steps.
‘We are in conversation with the individual concerned and people who attended the event,’ he said.
The Daily Mail also contacted Infrastructure Australia for comment.
An Acknowledgement of Country is a spoken or written statement that shows respect for the traditional custodians of the land where an event or meeting is taking place.
Infrastructure Australia chief commissioner Tim Reardon was a guest panellist at BDO’s recent town hall meeting for its projects and infrastructure advisory group
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Anyone can deliver an Acknowledgement of Country, unlike a Welcome to Country, which can only be performed by traditional owners or custodians of the land on which the event takes place.
‘In the spirit of reconciliation, BDO in Australia acknowledges the traditional custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community,’ BDO Australia states on its website.
‘We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.’
It comes after three One Nation senators turned their backs during the Acknowledgement of Country when federal parliament resumed for the spring term earlier this month.
Malcolm Roberts, Sean Bell and Tyron Whitten faced away as Deputy Senate President Slade Brockman delivered the Acknowledgement of Country in the Senate chamber.
The trio turned back around when the Senate moved to the Lord’s Prayer.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson was not in the chamber at the time but recently pledged to scrap Welcome to Country ceremonies in schools, government departments and official events if elected prime minister at the 2028 election.
