Campbelltown Council decides to fly Aboriginal flag after all

A LOCAL Adelaide council voted two weeks ago not to fly the Aboriginal flag outside its chambers. Now, after copping criticism, it has changed its mind.

Protesters with the Aboriginal flag at the Campbelltown Council meeting. Picture: Daniela Abbracciavento

CAMPBELLTOWN Council has reversed its decision not to fly the Aboriginal flag outside its chambers, after a vote on Tuesday night.

Councillors last month rejected a push to fly the Aboriginal flag permanently, claiming it would result in cultural division rather than promote unity.

A second vote on Tuesday night rescinded the decision, meaning the council will fly the flag alongside the Australian flag.

Protesters who gathered outside the chambers carrying the Aboriginal flag, cheered when the council announced the five-vote-to-three decision.

The council would consider including a $2000-plus installation cost to put a new flag pole next to the existing ones in their budget next quarter.

Cr Rob Tidd moved the motion to reverse the previous decision, citing “a large amount of criticism”.

“Campbelltown Council has received coverage on the local, state and national level where we have been perceived in a poor light,” he wrote.

“I feel that it is appropriate that we revisit this decision.”

During the council’s public question time, well-known SA Aboriginal actress Natasha Wanganeen, who starred in Rabbit-Proof Fence, said deciding not to fly the Aboriginal flag was divisive and unjust.

“This is our country,” Ms Wanganeen said. “What in your head led you to make that decision not to fly our flag?

“I have a five-year-old daughter and I want her to see her flag flying high.”

The chairman of the council’s Reconciliation Advisory Committee, Shouwn Oosting, spoke at the meeting before the council reversed its original decision.

Mr Oosting said he was “extremely disappointed and shocked” with the council’s decision not to fly the Aboriginal flag outside its chambers.

“This is the most important issue I’ve had to face as a member of the Reconciliation Committee,” Mr Oosting said.

“I believe the council had missed an opportunity to show it proudly recognises Aboriginal people.”

Mr Tidd told the meeting the Aboriginal culture needed to be respected and flying the flag was a step in the right direction.

“We need to acknowledge that a mistake has been made (by not flying the flag) so all members of the community can move forward together,” Cr Tidd said.