Victorian Premier Ted Ballieu has removed existing obligations for public servants to acknowledge Aboriginal traditional landowners at public and official events.

 

The State Government has dropped the protocol, labeling the previous Labor Government’s policy as ‘too politically correct’ and that the procedure should be down to the individual’s discretion, rather than compulsory etiquette.

 

Previously, public servants were obliged to acknowledge the "traditional owners and custodians of this land".

 

The Opposition's Aboriginal Affairs spokesman, Richard Wynne, says the decision will disappointed a lot of people.

 

"It's clear that many Aboriginal people expect it and would be quite upset if that custom and practice, that was part of the Labor government, is not continued," he said.