New South Wales’ Federation Council, a local government on the NSW-Victoria border—has voted against mandating the flying of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, as well as the use of Welcome to Country for public events.
Under the council’s new rules, it will commit to flying the Indigenous flags “on special occasions ... to demonstrate respect and to foster reconciliation and community partnership.”
“We recognise their unique cultures and historical connection across the region,” a statement from the council’s latest meeting noted.
An amendment also added that the council would commit to exclusively flying the Australian flag within the council chamber during official sessions, and on all flagpoles across the council region.
The inclusion of the Welcome to Country ceremony at events will also now need to be approved by a council resolution. If the request is not approved, the event will instead include an Acknowledgement of Country.
“I have a firm belief that the Australian flag is the best flag to represent all of the community,” he said.
“If you actually look at the Australian flag closely, it actually pays homage to all people—the early settlers and the Aboriginals who inhabited this country.
“You’ve got the union jack up in the left hand corner that pays tribute to our colonisation of Australia, that’s also provided us with the Westminster system that’s actually enabling us to have this debate here today in the chamber.”
Bott went on to note the significance of the flag’s design.
“The very first inhabitants of this land, who walked it and looked up ... saw the southern cross,” he said.
“There’s recognition there and there’s also recognition in the colour of the flag ... that all have travelled across the oceans to be here.”
Councillor Susan Wearne, however, felt that all three flags should be flown because they were all legitimate.
“In 1995, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags became official under the Flag Act of 1953,” she said.
“And they became part of our history, Australia’s history.”
Councillor Wearne said the Indigenous flags formed part of a trio of Australia’s official flags, with the national flag as the overarching symbol.
“My belief is that is does represent Australia,” she said.
“Its past, present, and I would like to see them remain.”
Mayor Cheryl Cook said she agreed with Councillor Bott’s arguments because, as a council, she felt all people in the community should be represented by a single, verifying symbol that stands for civic neutrality.
“A little over 97 percent of council’s population do not identify as Indigenous,” she said.
The motion passed five to four.
