The Seekers, a legendary Australian band, have publicly criticized the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) for using their iconic song I Am Australian without permission. The song was performed during the conference's opening ceremony in Brisbane on Saturday, following renditions of the national anthem and Waltzing Matilda.

Unauthorized Use

Bruce Woodley, a member of the Seekers, confirmed that no approval had been granted for the song's use. He stated, "No permission was either sought or given by me for the use of my song." The song, co-written by Woodley and Dobe Newton in 1987, was also included in the official conference program agenda.

Contradictory Themes

Woodley and Newton expressed their disapproval, emphasizing that the song's message of unity and diversity contradicts the anti-immigration sentiments expressed at the conference. The song's famous line, "We are one, but we are many, and from all the lands of earth we come," highlights this theme.