Report sought before Aboriginal flag flies at Break O'Day after councillors vote in favour

Councillors voted in favour of a motion at this week’s meeting to fly the flag alongside the Australian and Tasmanian flags at council offices, as is standard practice at councils across Australia, after previously rejecting an identical motion in 2017.

Aboriginal community member Aunty Jeanymaree Jenkinson gave an impassioned plea to councillors before the vote, imploring them to show recognition of First Nations people.

But she questioned the need for a report into such a basic matter.

“One would believe that once a motion has been passed and council have no flag policy that it would be an immediate action,” Ms Jenkinson said.

Councillor Kylie Wright put the motion to council, which stated that a report by “a person who has the qualifications or experience necessary to give such advice, information or recommendation” was required under the Local Government Act.

She also put forward the unsuccessful motion in 2017.

The report was likely to be ready for the next Break O’Day Council meeting, when it would go to another vote.

Despite the delay, Ms Jenkinson was pleased that council had shown support to the Aboriginal community of the East Coast.

“It’s a show of respect. We go past there every day, we see the state and Commonwealth flag flying, it feels like there’s something missing as an Aboriginal person,” she said.

“This year after the new election there’s quite a few progressive and forward thinkers on the council, it was nice to see the show of support for it.”

Her speech to council touched on how flying the flag would provide recognition of “an important and historical link” in the community, and it “promotes the acceptance, inclusiveness, respect and sharing of our Indigenous history”.

The vote was defeated in 2017 after councillors believed that NAIDOC Week provided enough recognition.

Break O’Day mayor Mick Tucker said Ms Jenkinson’s speech gave councillors an understanding of the importance of flying the flag.

“Before the passing of this motion, one of our local Aboriginal Elders spoke during public question time and expressed how important flying the Aboriginal flag is to her people,” he said.

“It was a moving speech and we would like to thank her for attending the meeting.”