Talking Point: Flag debate just divisive politics

Clarence aldermen are in favour of flying the Aboriginal flag, says Brendan Blomeley.

OVER the past fortnight, we have seen political discourse in our state plumb new depths.

A seemingly straightforward and innocuous motion to fly the Aboriginal flag outside Clarence City Council Chambers has led to public misunderstanding that must be clarified (“Flag fracas as vote tied,” Mercury, October 17).

Rather than seek to understand the facts about the debate and the reasoning behind our vote, columnist Greg Barns did not contact me or my colleagues (“Flag decision flies in the face of push for greater reconciliation”, Talking Point, October 19).

Clarence City Council Mayor Doug Chipman in front of the flagpoles outside the council's chambers. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

None of the six aldermen who voted against the motion to fly the Aboriginal flag is against flying the flag. In fact, we are all in favour of this. What we are not in favour of is having a well defined, holistic and lasting approach to Indigenous reconciliation usurped by divisive politics.

I am an ardent supporter of the national reconciliation movement and of the stated aims of Reconciliation Tasmania. It is for these reasons I am also a strong and vocal supporter of Clarence City Council’s involvement in the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

A RAP is a strategic document that supports an organisation’s business plan. It includes practical actions that will drive an organisation’s contribution both internally and in the communities in which it operates.

Since my election in 2018, Clarence City Council has initiated a working dialogue with Reconciliation Tasmania and many of us have been actively engaged in this process since day one.

Over the past two years, on four separate occasions, aldermen have come together to progress this issue, including the provision of funds in this year’s budget to fund the RAP.

Representatives of Reconciliation Tasmania are joining Clarence aldermen this evening for a further workshop and if the RAP can be finalised then, I envisage that Council will endorse this Plan at our next Council Meeting on November 2, or very shortly thereafter. I am confident that as part of the RAP, the Aboriginal flag will be flown outside Council Chambers on an ongoing basis.

So, why then the urgency two weeks ago?

Aboriginal flags at Clarence City Council Chambers. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Without prior consultation with colleagues, the motion was placed on the same agenda as the contentious Kangaroo Bay development and the Ralphs Bay jetty. Understandably, as there was significant interest in these issues, a large online audience was guaranteed. Pure and simple.

The divisive politics over the past fortnight has done absolutely nothing to advance true reconciliation in our society or close the gap for Tasmanian Aboriginal people in the key areas of health and education.

We can and must do better.

Brendan Blomeley is an alderman on the Clarence City Council.