I Am Australian co-writer 'not happy' song used at conservative conference

Key points

• Dobe Newton, a co-writer of the song I Am Australian, has objected to its use at a conservative political conference. He says he was never asked for permission and only learned of the performance after media contacted him.
• The song was sung at an opening ceremony of the Australian Conservative Political Action Conference in Brisbane on October 10 and 11, according to a conference program.
• Mr Newton says the song was written to celebrate multiculturalism, and he believes its use to promote a political view is inappropriate.