Whitehorse councillors debate flying foreign flags
A Whitehorse councillor is pushing for a ban on foreign flags above Box Hill Town Hall after several complaints from residents following the flying of the Chinese national flag.
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A Whitehorse councillor wants to ban other nations’ flags, particularly the red banner of China, from being flown above Box Hill Town Hall.
Cr Blair Baker said the Chinese flag was flown from the top of the hall for Chinese National Day on October 1 and he received a number of phone calls from angry residents.
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“How might the flying of the Chinese flag might be viewed by, say, our very large and vibrant Taiwanese community?” he asked fellow councillors at a meeting last week.
“How do people from Tibet feel? Flying the flag of a foreign nation is potentially divisive and in direct conflict with our strategic direction, which is to be an inclusive community.”
He moved for councillors to decide whether flags other than the Australian flag, Victorian flag, Aboriginal flag and Torres Strait Island flag are raised in Whitehorse, rather than the decision be left with council staff.
“Our flag poles shouldn’t be a place where foreign rivalries and geopolitical tensions are played out,” he told the meeting.
Councillor Andrew Davenport agreed only the flags “commonly accepted by all members of the community and not some” should be flown without the approval of the majority of councillors “for reasons of inclusiveness”.
But he then voted against the idea after it was criticised by five councillors.
Councillor Raylene Carr said as long as the Australian flag took precedence, she had no issue with flying other countries’ flags.
“How can denying the flying of other nations’ flags on special occasions or special visits possibly be inclusive?” she said.
“Some people from different nations may be offended, I understand that, at the same time I would say ‘I’m sorry for that, I apologise for that, but move on’.”
Councillor Tina Liu said she would “not support any attempts that aims to divide, or instil unfounded fear into the community”.
The Asian Business Association of Whitehorse could not be reached for comment.
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