The Australian government is slammed for introducing an ‘acknowledgement of autistic people’ in an official document: ‘Where does this woke virtue signaling stop?’

The Australian government has been criticized for sticking a ‘Recognition of Autistic People’ right after a ‘Recognition of Country’ in an official document.

Federal Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth on Tuesday launched Australia’s first-ever ‘National Autism Strategy’, which aims to improve the lives of people with autism.

The seven-year plan, for which the government has committed more than $42 million in funding, aims to create a “safe and inclusive society where all autistic people are supported and enabled to thrive in all aspects of life.”

But sharp-eyed readers of the 76-page document were left scratching their heads by an unusual “recognition” inserted right after the now familiar “Recognition to the Country.”

“Recognizing autistic people and their families and carers and the autism community,” it reads in the same font, followed by two sentences paying tribute to Australia’s autism community.

Cumberland Councilman and former Mayor Steve Christou labeled the recognition as “exaggerated virtue signaling.”

“Where does this awakening virtue signaling end? I think it’s quite rude and insulting to autistic people,” Cr Christou told Daily Mail Australia.

“These reports are funded by taxpayers and they simply have to stop. We must return to common sense.’

John Delmenico, an autistic comedian and writer, said the “recognition” was “inappropriate and unnecessary.”

“It is super inappropriate (in my opinion) to make it a sequel to an Acknowledgment of Land and format it in exactly the same way,” he wrote on social media.

Another social media user slammed the new move, writing: “Just no.”

“There is not a planet where this is a good idea and recognition of our country is the bare minimum we are owed without it being treated this way,” they added.

Conservative commentator Prue MacSween, however, had a more nuanced view.

“I really believe that we are now exaggerating the recognition of our country and it infuriates many of us (myself included) to be welcomed into our own country,” she said.

“This targets the indigenous industry and I find it offensive and symbolic. A focus on actually doing something meaningful to close the gap is what I’m interested in.

“But since this strategy on which you are basing the story focuses on autism, I don’t think this is a case of virtue signaling, just a recognition that people with autism are valued and an important consideration and identified.”

Others joked about the recognition.

“Inappropriate not to acknowledge the autistic country we stand on,” joked comedian Rose Callaghan.

Another said: ‘I hope the recognition of autism is read out before every government event or speech.’

Recognition for the country is not the same as a welcome to the country.

The latter can only be delivered by traditional owners or custodians of the land on which the event takes place, while an acknowledgment can be made by anyone.

Many officials and employees of large companies have a confirmation in their email signature.

Proponents claim it is a way to show respect to the traditional custodians of the land on which you live and work.

However, critics argue that it is symbolic and does nothing to actually improve the lives of indigenous people.

The National Autism Strategy outlines 22 commitments, and the plan sets aside $42.3 million for a number of measures, including almost $3 million to identify the prevalence of autism in Australia.

It aims to improve a range of areas relating to autistic people, including social and economic inclusion, diagnosis and services, and health.

A further $20 million over four years will go towards a peer support program to provide autistic people with advice on real-world experiences, as part of an initial two-year action plan to roll out practical measures.

Employers also have a role to play and must create inclusive workplaces that understand the diversity and needs of autistic employees, the strategy says.

Bosses should be supported in hiring and retaining autistic employees under blueprint commitments to improve economic inclusion.

Sebastian Langdon-Macmillan, a young autistic person who helped develop the strategy, said he was very optimistic that the plan would help a generation of young people into study and work.

“Too often there are these negative stereotypes that really harm autistic people,” he said.

‘What it means to me is a future where our society can really accept autistic people and really see autistic people as an asset.’

Mr Langdon-Macmillan said he had already seen a positive shift in the way government services work with and engage autistic people.

Daily Mail Australia has approached the Department for Social Services for comment.