Prime Minister Tony Abbott is being accused of breaking an election promise to spend the first week of his prime ministership in north Arnhem Land.
Mr Abbott made the comments at the Garma Festival last month during a pre-election speech on Yolngu country where he promised a new relationship with Indigenous Australians.
“I believe things will be different if there is a change of government. I've said before, let me repeat it, it is my hope that I could be not just a Prime Minister, but a Prime Minister for Aboriginal affairs,” said Mr Abbott.
But it was this part of his address that has sparked an online controversy;
“Why shouldn't I, if you will permit me, spend my first week, as Prime Minister, should that happen, on your country,” said Mr Abbott.
With the end of his first week as Prime Minister fast approaching, social media has erupted and is accusing Mr Abbott of breaking his promise.
Warren Mundine who heads the Coalition’s new Indigenous Advisory Council has dismissed the claims that Mr Abbott has broken his promise.
“This idea he was going to do it in the first week is a bit crazy, because we know the Prime Minister of any government, the first week is setting up cabinet and getting on with the job,” says Mr Mundine.
“His promise was quite clear to everyone who has half a brain, that it was about being in an Aboriginal community on an annual basis and he wanted his first trip to be to Yolngu country,” he said.
The Gumatj Corporation, chaired by Yolngu elder Galarrwuy Yunipingu, says a formal invitation has just been sent to the Prime Minister asking him to spend a week with the members of the Gumatj clan within the next 12 months.
