NSW council ditches flying of Indigenous flags

A council in NSW has voted to stop flying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and has imposed new rules for Welcome to Country ceremonies.

The Federation Council in the Riverina, voted five to four to remove the Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander flags from the Urana and Corowa chambers and to remove them from flagpoles across the council’s jurisdiction.

“We work on a very neutral basis, and that one symbol provides that neutral space to look after the entire shire and many ratepayers have spoken to us across the duration of the year,” Mayor Cheryl Cook told the ABC.

Federation Council Mayor Cheryl Cook.

Welcome to Country ceremonies will now require council approval for events.

The flags will be allowed to fly during Reconciliation Week in May and NAIDOC Week in July next year.

Once councillor who voted against the decision said he was disappointed with the decision.

“Removing the flags sent a not very nice message,” Councillor David Harrison said. “I’ve never seen the flags as divisive.”

Mayor Cook said the decision was made after extensive community feedback.

“I’ve had very strong feedback in this regard that it is timely that we here today seek a more unified culture for all and that is our shared Aussie identity spirit,” Cr Cook said.

Cheree Toka who campaigned to have the Aboriginal flag permanently displayed on Sydney Harbour Bridge, told the ABC the decision was flawed and she disagreed with the outcome.

“Flags are not population markers at all, they are statements of recognition and respect,” she said.

“Seeing the Aboriginal flag in places of authority signals we belong here and we have a right to be heard and feel safe in the spaces that shape this country.”