The Aboriginal flag may have a everlasting residence atop Melbourne’s West Gate Bridge inside days.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags have flown on a rotational foundation above the West Gate Bridge throughout Reconciliation and since 2019.
However when NAIDOC week ends on Sunday, the Aboriginal flag will stay in place on the bridge, changing Victoria’s state flag.
“The West Gate Bridge is considered one of our most seen landmarks. Now, the hundreds of motorists who use the bridge daily can view the Aboriginal flag flying proudly above our metropolis,” Victoria’s Roads and Street Security Minister Ben Carroll mentioned.
The Victorian authorities is exploring methods to fly the Torres Strait Islander and Victorian state flags alongside the Aboriginal and Australian flags.
Positioned on Bunurong Nation, the 58-metre excessive bridge hyperlinks interior Melbourne with the capital’s outer western suburbs.
Kelly Lehmann, chair of the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Company, described the choice as a major first step.
“The Aboriginal flag represents inclusiveness, recognition and respect and having it flown completely atop the West Gate Bridge demonstrates this dedication to Aboriginal communities in Victoria,” she mentioned.
It follows an identical transfer by the NSW authorities to quickly completely fly .
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet final month mentioned he didn’t need the associated fee to detract from the mission.