$25m to hang the Aboriginal flag on Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Aboriginal flag will permanently fly on the Sydney Harbour Bridge in a move that will cost $25 million, a figure which has the NSW Premier gobsmacked.

New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet has announced the Aboriginal flag will permanently fly on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The move is expected to happen by the end of the year after the NSW government committed $25 million to installing a third, 20 metre high flagpole.

Mr Perrottet said while he wasn’t sure why the project was so expensive, it’s a “small price to pay” for unity, 9 News reported.

The cost of flying the flag throughout the year will be included in Tuesday’s budget.

“Our indigenous history should be celebrated and acknowledged so young Australians understand the rich and enduring culture that we have here with our past,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Installing the Aboriginal flag permanently on the Sydney Harbour Bridge will do just that and is a continuation of the healing process as part of the broader move towards reconciliation.

“We are making significant investments, adopting new approaches and taking practical steps to close the gap and improve outcomes for Aboriginal people across NSW.”

When asked about why it cost so much, he said: “I don’t know. But it does, apparently”.

“I’m even surprised it takes this long. I mean I made the announcement a while ago and the first brief that came back was that it takes two years to do.

“I’ll go to Bunnings myself and climb up there and put the pole up.

The Aboriginal Flag will permanently fly on the #Sydney Harbour Bridge by the end of the year, however Premier Dominic Perrottet was unable to answer why the move will cost $25 million.

DETAILS: https://t.co/c1Phn34b4h#9Newspic.twitter.com/40bAz1aA79

— 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS) June 19, 2022

The Australian Aboriginal flag flys alongside the Australian national flag in 2015. Picture: AAP Image/David Moir

“But apparently it does, apparently that’s the costing, and I think that it’s an important decision that we’ve made.

“I think it brings unity to our country and I think it’s a small price to pay for that unification.”

The flag will fly next to the Australian flag and NSW flag on top of the bridge.

The addition came following a petition by indigenous artist Cheree Toka, which attracted more than 177,000 signatures.

Young Aboriginal woman Cheree Toka started a petition to get an Aboriginal flag permanently placed on top on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Picture: John Appleyard

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Franklin applauded the move.

“I am so excited we are one step closer to the Aboriginal flag finally being flown on the Sydney Harbour Bridge permanently, 365 days a year, seven days a week,” Mr Franklin said.

“We are incredibly proud to be working in partnership with Aboriginal stakeholders on both symbolic and practical reconciliation.”

Originally published as $25m to hang the Aboriginal flag on Sydney Harbour Bridge