The NSW Aboriginal Land Council has thrown its support behind Gunnedah’s Aboriginal community in the fight over the council chamber flags, calling Gunnedah Shire Council’s move to display only the Australian flag “shameful and insulting to First Nations people”.
“I stand with Gunnedah’s Aboriginal community and support their petition to overturn the proposal to display only the Australian flag in Gunnedah Council chambers,” said NSW Aboriginal Land Council Councillor for the Northern Region Charles Lynch.
Councillors voted on Wednesday, 16 September to amend a draft flag policy that had recommended the Australian, NSW, Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islander flags be displayed in the chamber. The amendment passed on the mayor’s casting vote, just days after council launched its Reconciliation Action Plan.
“Flying the Aboriginal flag does not divide the community, but excluding the Aboriginal flag sends a clear message about whose history deserves recognition,” Cr Lynch said.
“Australia’s history did not begin in 1788. Aboriginal people are the First Peoples of this country. Our history deserves respect.”
“For Gunnedah Council to launch a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), then propose excluding the Aboriginal flag weeks later is shameful and insulting to First Nations people.”
“Council is undermining its own commitments.”
Gomeroi Elder Aunty Hazel Collins questioned what was driving the push for a single flag.
“What is the fear behind it? Why can’t we have a flag that represents us as a people?” she said.
During the debate, Deputy Mayor Rob Hooke said he feared reconciliation could go too far and lead to “a reverse type of apartheid”.
Aunty Hazel rejected that view.
“This man knows nothing about segregation,” she said.
“In wanting to stop the flag from being raised inside a council chamber, that’s only the start of of the envelope being opened.”
Cr Linda Newell spoke against the amendment, and she urged council to rethink.
“Take an opportunity to see this as a learning opportunity on how to work better with our First Nation people,” she said.
“Do the right thing here.”
Cr Lynch said the Aboriginal flag belonged alongside the national flag.
“Harold Thomas created the Aboriginal flag as a symbol of our people, our identity and our connection to Country.”
“Flying our flag alongside the Australian flag recognises our history and our place in Australia.”
“True reconciliation requires respect, accountability and action. Council should be bringing people together.”
“This proposal divides the community and damages trust.”
“I call on Gunnedah Shire Council to listen to the Aboriginal community, overturn this proposal and honour its reconciliation commitments,” Cr Lynch said.
Gunnedah Shire Council did not respond to questions about whether council or Deputy Mayor Hooke would apologise for the comments, or whether council would recommit to its reconciliation process.
The draft flag policy and instructions on how to provide comments during the exhibition period by October 14 are on Council’s website.
The petition can be signed at Gunnedah Family Support, 206 Conadilly Street; Min Min Aboriginal Corporation, Marquis Street; and Red Chief Local Aboriginal Land Council, 26A Chandos Street. It can also be signed online here.
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