Aboriginal flag to be permanently flown on West Gate Bridge

The Premier says he doesn’t know how much it will cost to fly the flag on the West Gate Bridge, after NSW was quoted $25m for a similar move.

Both sides of politics have expressed support to permanently fly an Aboriginal flag on top of the West Gate Bridge.

Daniel Andrews confirmed that discussions were underway to install a flag on the landmark bridge.

“I understand there’s been quite a bit of work done,” the Premier said.

“VicRoads and others are well engaged in a process to do exactly that.

“I think that’s something that’s been worked on for a while now, which will be terrific.”

It comes after the New South Wales government was quoted $25 million to permanently install the Aboriginal flag on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The West Gate Bridge could permanently fly the Aboriginal flag, along with the Australian one.

Mr Andrews said he had “no idea” how much a flag on the West Gate Bridge would cost.

The Herald Sun has sought further information from Roads Minister Ben Carroll’s office.

Opposition leader Matthew Guy said he supported the plans.

“It’s one of Australia’s national flags,” he said.

“I always support our national institutions — the Aboriginal flag is one of national institutions — so I support it being flown and I respect it.”

It comes as the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria on Wednesday made a historic address to the Victorian parliament on the importance of Treaty, ahead of the debate on the state’s nation leading Treaty Authority Bill.

NSW is set to permanently fly the Aboriginal flag on its Harbour Bridge — but it may come at a whopping cost. Picture: Getty Images

It is just the second time that the First Peoples’ Assembly have spoken in parliament.

The Bill, which has bipartisan support, will establish an independent Treaty authority to oversee all Treaty-related negotiations between the government and Aboriginal Victorians.

But rogue Liberal MP Tim Smith has vowed to “cross the floor” and vote against the Bill.

Despite it being a key recommendation from the First Peoples Assembly, Mr Smith said “this legislation will do nothing to close the gap”.

“I don’t support illiberal and divisive tokenism,” he said.

Assembly Co-chairs Aunty Geraldine Atkinson and Marcus Stewart urged all Victorian MPs to support the Bill in a vote that represented being “on the right side of history”.

“If you believe that Aboriginal people should succeed, then support this Bill,” Mr Stewart said.

“Show the rest of Australia that Victoria is ready to right the wrongs of the past.”

Ms Atkinson added: “I hope that all the politicians can see the importance of not only making sure First Peoples determine the destination, but that we can also choose the path we take to reach Treaty.

“This agreement to establish the Treaty umpire has been developed by First Peoples, for First Peoples. It’s what our community wants and we’re urging the Parliament to back us in,” she said.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Gabrielle Williams said “listening to Aboriginal Victorians and acting on what they need to determine their own future is more important than ever”.

Originally published as Aboriginal flag to be permanently flown on West Gate Bridge