Her words were a departure from the stance taken by her predecessor Peter Dutton, with acknowledgement of country statements notably missing from major Liberal Party events and speeches during the election, like the official campaign launch in Western Sydney.
Speaking to the National Press Club on Wednesday, Ms Ley began her speech 鈥渁cknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today鈥.
Asked on Thursday if her speech 鈥渟ettled鈥 the debate on Acknowledgements and Welcome to Country, Ms Ley said neither should be overused.
鈥淟ook I think Acknowledgements of Country have their place, but in significant moments like yesterday was one of those places,鈥 she told ABC radio.
鈥淎nd as Environment Minister and Health Minister, I listened carefully and I participated in what I would describe as meaningful Welcome to Country ceremonies that involved the circumstances of Indigenous Australians with respect to our natural environment and their own health that were relevant and important.鈥
Continuing, she said: 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think it should be ticking a box on a teams meeting鈥.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think it should be at every work meeting, because I think that actually diminishes the value of what it is.
鈥淪o there is a time and a place, and it鈥檚 about striking the right balance.鈥
Her comments follow a factitious election campaign where Mr Dutton avoided giving Acknowledgement to Country statements, said Welcome to Country ceremonies were overdone and went as far to say he didn鈥檛 support Welcome to Country ceremonies on Anzac Day.
Speaking to the Opposition party room in Canberra on Thursday, Ms Ley said the Coalition needed to 鈥渞ebuild with humility鈥 and represent a diverse range of groups following the 鈥渟obering鈥 election loss.
鈥淥ur job is to present that alternative narrative for Australians so they look at us and know that we鈥檙e a party that respects, reflects and will represent modern Australia, and we can restore their faith and trust in us,鈥 she said.
Nationals Leader David Littleproud urged the party to 鈥渃ome out swinging鈥.
鈥淪o while it鈥檚, it鈥檚 humbling and it鈥檚, it鈥檚 disappointing the election result, you can do one of two things: you can get in the foetal position, give up, or you can come out swinging,鈥 he said.
鈥淎nd being from western Queensland, we always take the latter.
鈥淪o let鈥檚 come out swinging. Let鈥檚 hold this government to account, and let鈥檚 show Australians that we are here for them and we have the solutions for them.鈥