Melbourne councils, police to fly flags full-mast on Australia Day

Melbourne councils have overwhelmingly rejected a Greens MP’s push to fly the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at half-mast on Australia Day.

Melbourne councils say they will fly the Aboriginal, Australian and Torres Strait Islander flags at full-mast on January 26 — with the exception of one council. Picture: Craig Warhurst

The overwhelming majority of Melbourne councils have resoundingly rejected a call to fly the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at half-mast on Australia Day.

A Leader survey of metropolitan councils found most planned to fly the flag at full-mast on January 26.

Greens MP Lidia Thorpe wrote an opinion piece in the media this week calling on councils, police and other organisations to lower the flags to half-mast out of respect for First Nations people killed by white settlers.

Ms Thorpe, a Gunnai-Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman, made history last year when she became Victoria’s first Aboriginal woman elected to the Senate.

Glen Eira was the only council to commit to lowering its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags on Tuesday.

Victoria Police blocked the proposal, saying flags at stations would fly at full-mast in line with Federal Government protocols.

Monash Greens councillor Josh Fergeus said greater steps needed to be taken towards reconciliation.

His council will fly the flag at full-mast, as confirmed by Monash Mayor Brian Little, but Cr Fergeus broke ranks with his council colleagues to voice his disapproval.

“We haven’t made a lot of progress on our conversations around January 26, there’s really limited interest on the previous council, but I think it’s something this new council should grapple with,” he said.

“There’s a growing movement in the community on this issue and growing acknowledgment that it’s not a day to be celebrated.”

Port Phillip, Mornington Peninsula and Bayside were among the councils that flagged plans to host survival day or healing ceremonies on Australia Day.

But they joined the majority of councils including Whitehorse, Stonnington, Frankston, Banyule, Wyndham, Kingston, Darebin and Maribyrnong in refusing to lower their flags.

Moonee Valley Council did not say if it would lower its Aboriginal flag to half-mast.

Mornington Peninsula Shire cancelled its popular Mornington Park event due to COVID-19 safety fears.

Councils also flagged their intention to host citizenship and citizen of the year ceremonies.

A poll of 1038 Australians commissioned by the Institute of Public Affairs showed more than two thirds of Australians supported celebrating Australia Day on January 26.

Institute of Public Affairs spokeswoman Dr Bella d’Abrera said any council that flew the Aboriginal flag at half-mast on Australia Day was “out of touch”.

“This kind of empty virtue signalling is divisive and of absolute no benefit to ratepayers,” Dr d’Abrera said.

“Mainstream Australians are proud to be Australian and want to celebrate all that is great about Australia on January 26.”