The problem a Wurundjeri elder has with dual names plan for Melbourne

Some Melbourne suburbs could be gain additional names under the City of Melbourne’s Indigenous reconciliation plan.

Lord mayor Sally Capp has confirmed the council will consider introducing Indigenous names for places to honour Aboriginal culture.

Under the plan, Melbourne would be given the dual name Naarm.

But Wurundjeri elder Ian Hunter, who has been involved with Indigenous culture for 30 years, says he’s “never heard of it”.

“It’s something some young people have come up with, I think. How do you have a name for something that doesn’t exist?,” he told Ross and Russel.

Mr Hunter says reconciliation groups get it wrong when they appoint Aboriginal people who come from outside the Wurundjeri region to make decisions about the area.

“People from as far away as Portland and so forth sit on these reconciliation councils and they’re the ones who actually put the decisions up,” he said.

“You know what that is? That’s the same as a Greek telling an Italian how to run their affairs.”

Press PLAY below to hear Ian Hunter’s problem with council reconciliation groups