Volunteers have claimed they have been told to use a traditional Aboriginal greeting rather than G'day ©Gold Coast 2018

Volunteers at this year's Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast will be allowed to use the traditional Australian way of saying hello "G'day" after reports they had been told it was banned and they instead had to use Aboriginal greeting “Jingeri”.

Gold Coast 2018 chairman Peter Beattie claimed it was misunderstanding and was only a suggestion in the volunteer guide book.

"No where does it state that it must be used," Beattie told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

"I encourage volunteers to use G’day as well as jingeri which is what I will be doing,

"The Games manual states Jingeri is a word you can use as a volunteer."

Australian tourist agencies have regularly used the phase "G'day" in its promotions, including a long-running campaign with actor Paul Hogan, star of the film Crocodile Dundee. 

The G'day greeting has long been part of campaigns by Australian tourism agencies starring actor Paul Hogan ©Getty Images
The G'day greeting has long been part of campaigns by Australian tourism agencies starring actor Paul Hogan ©Getty Images

It is the second row involving the volunteer guide book since it was sent to 15,000 people.

Last month there was controversy after it was claimed volunteers had been told to use "inclusive" language towards visitors, rather than specific gender based terms.

Senior figures claimed it was "political correctness gone mad".

The latest row erupted when a volunteer claimed they had been told to use “Jingeri” during a "regimented" training session which had a strong emphasis on indigenous culture.

"I will be using both G’Day and Jingeri at the Games to promote Australia and our partnership with the local Yugambeh people of the Gold Coast," Beattie told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

He followed it up with a tweet above the original story in the local newspaper and the message: "G’day to the Commonwealth #gc2018".

Gold Coast 2018 chief executive Mark Peters claimed there was no blanket instructions for volunteers to follow a series of strict guidelines when it came to talking to spectators during the Games, due to take place between April 4 and 15. 

"We are continually confused about the reporting which comes out about political correctness," Peters told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

"We think the volunteers are confused themsleves and we need to make it clear that we do not tell volunteers what to say.

"Volunteers have taken it into their own hands with media and gone onto media websites and said 'hang on a minute, we are told to be natural'.

"They know these are just helpful hints. It’s not compulsory it is just guidance.

"We work closely with the elders and their language, people from overseas want to know about the history."

Jingeri is the traditional greeting of the Yugambeh people whose ancient lands are located in parts of South-East Queensland

"It’s a great word and it is a respectful word," Peters said.

"But just be yourself."