A government minister has taken issue with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten's characterisation of non-indigenous Australians as strangers.
Mr Shorten made the comment last week while announcing that under a future Labor government a parliamentary year would begin with an indigenous welcome to country on the floor of the parliamentary chamber.
"It's not the way that I would choose to express myself - I'm always very keen to focus on the things that unite us as a country," Justice Minister Michael Keenan told Network Ten.
Mr Shorten on Wednesday backed the idea of an indigenous welcoming ceremony.
"In the standing orders, inviting guests onto the floor is referred to as welcoming 'strangers' to the house," Mr Shorten said.
"But it is us, the non-indigenous Australians, who are the strangers.
"Let us renew each democratic year with an acknowledgment of the world's oldest continuing culture and a reminder to all of us of Australia's ongoing journey to reconciliation."
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