In a move labelled “progressive”, Sydney’s Inner West will see the Aboriginal flag fly on all council buildings.
Inner West Councillors unanimously voted to change flag protocols and permanently install the Aboriginal flag alongside the national flag on all buildings, alongside the national flag.
The decision was influenced by Kamilaroi woman Cheree Toka, who has advocated for 5-years for the Aboriginal flag to fly permanently on Sydney’s Harbour Bridge.
In February, Ms Toka saw her dream become a reality with the NSW government committing to installing a flagpole for the flag to fly all year.
Ms Toka welcomed the council’s decision.
Cheree Toka started the petition. Source: Change.org
“I think that the Inner West Council acknowledging and supporting this campaign since inception has really shown how progressive the council is,” she told The Daily Telegraph.
“The council has proved that respectful change should not take five years and can be done easily by like-minded people.”
Whilst the decision follows NSW Government’s commitment, Inner West may be homed to permanent flags faster than the Bridge – with a six to 12-month time period before the flagpole can be installed.
Transport NSW told The Daily Telegraph, that installation can only be achieved after “relevant planning and heritage approvals, permits and structural assessments”.
“These matters are currently being carefully assessed to ensure the flag pole can be safely installed as soon as possible, in line with the premier‘s commitment earlier this year.”
Currently, the Aboriginal flag sits in ‘third’ place. The Flags Act of 1953 states that the national flag takes precedence, state and territory flags following and then ‘other Australian flags’ which includes the Aboriginal flag.
Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne said the council’s decision was an attempt to amend the flag protocols.
The Aboriginal flag will be flown on the bridge once a flag pole is installed. Source: AAP
“The Inner West is determined to change flag protocols so that the Aboriginal Flag is permanently flown over Inner West buildings. In our view, it is and always will be a higher priority than the NSW Flag," he said.
"We believe that the Aboriginal Flag should fly proudly wherever the Australian flag is raised. This simple act of respect and recognition is long overdue and should happen across the Nation”
He believes the council’s decision can be a “positive example” for state and federal governments.
"While the Aboriginal Flag is yet to fly permanently over the Harbour Bridge, we'll make sure it always flies in the Inner West in support of Cheree’s campaign and as a positive example for the State and Federal Governments to follow."
