Melbourne councils reject calls to fly Aboriginal flag at half-mast

Western suburb councils have resolutely rejected calls by a Greens MP to fly the Aboriginal flag at half-mast on January 26.

The Aboriginal flag, the Australian flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag will fly at full mast on January 26 at many council offices. Picture: Craig Warhurst

Councils in Melbourne’s west have resoundingly rejected a proposal to fly the Aboriginal flag at half-mast on Australia Day.

Police have also flagged no change in their own flag policy on January 26.

Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe called on councils and community groups in the media this week to fly the Aboriginal flag at half-mast on Tuesday.

Ms Thorpe, a Gunnai-Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman, argued the flag should was lowered to commemorate First Nations people killed at the hands of white settlers.

The notion sparked fierce debate on the Wyndham Leader’s Facebook page, with readers passionately arguing both for and against the flag being lowered.

Marc Golland wrote Australia Day was a time to celebrate and come together as a nation to heal.

“We should only fly the Australian flag and fly it at its highest point,” he wrote.

But others, including Anne Kardinia, wrote Australia's bloodstained history needed to be acknowledged.

“There will never be any change until we come to terms with out past,” she wrote.

Kenny H Burton agreed, writing it was time Australia followed New Zealand’s lead and took greater steps towards reconciliation with Indigenous people.

“Yes you won’t please everyone, but if the majority of First (Nations) people don’t feel included, there is something wrong and needs to be fixed to stop what is happening,” he wrote.

Greens MP Lidia Thorpe was sworn in as the first Aboriginal senator for Victoria on October 6, 2020. Picture: Darrian Traynor

Maribyrnong and Wyndham councils confirmed to the Leader this week their flags, including the Torres Strait Islander flag, would fly at full mast.

Brimbank Council acting director of advocacy, partnerships and community Rebecca Solomon said flags at the council’s offices in Sunshine would also fly in their usual position.

“Brimbank is one of Victoria’s most multicultural municipalities, with around half of all residents born overseas and 166 languages spoken by its residents,” Ms Solomon said.

Maribyrnong, Wyndham, Brimbank and Moonee Valley councils all stated they planned to host citizenship ceremonies on January 26.

Wyndham Council has hired roving performers to entertain Australia Day crowds at local parks including the Williams Landing Pop-Up Park and Presidents Park in Wyndham Vale.

While Brimbank’s citizen and young citizen of the year will be announced at a special ceremony held by the council.

Moonee Valley Mayor Cam Nation said his council would host a traditional healing ceremony at Afton Street Conservation Reserve.

It was the third year the ceremony had been held, he said, and its purpose was to recognise the “injustices of the past against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples”.

“It is a reminder that our journey continues and that we have the platform to instigate change within our community,” he said.

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

Hobsons Bay Council did not respond to the Leader’s request for comment.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said flag protocols at police stations were set by the Federal Government and as such, the Aboriginal flag would not be lowered.

“Victoria Police has a strong commitment to respecting and working with Aboriginal communities, as demonstrates by our various community engagement forums, policy initiatives and appointment of an Assistant Commissioner to lead this important portfolio,” the spokesperson said.