Today’s a good day in Sydney. And not just because it’s had some sunny moments, with plenty of opportunities to head outside to soak up many a good vibe. For the Aboriginal Flag will now replace the NSW flag on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It’ll be soaring up high, proudly blowing in the wind above the Eora Nation. What’s more, as per the ABC, it’ll be staying there for good.
Now, you might be curious as to why the Aboriginal Flag is replacing the NSW’s one instead of getting its own poll. Well, this is an elegant solution to a $25 million controversy. The NSW Government’s original plan did in fact involve erecting a new poll, as well as refurbishing the poles already in use. This was going to cost a pretty penny. Unfortunately, many bad faith actors attacked the government’s price point. They turned this announcement into a wedge issue, one where some people basically stated that having a more equal society just wasn’t worth the $25 million.
Related: The Aboriginal Flag Has Been Made Free for Public Use
Related: How to Know What Indigenous Land You’re on
But fortunately, as previously mentioned, the NSW Government has sidestepped this issue. Because just dropping the flag with a perfunctory lion on it won’t cost $25 million. Furthermore, they were already flying the Aboriginal Flag on the Sydney Harbour Bridge for NAIDOC Week, so everything’s already to go.
It’s also worth noting that this budgeted $25 million will instead go towards other First Nations initiatives. According to the state’s Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Ben Franklin, this additional money will build “on the NSW government’s commitment to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people across NSW.” He also said that it follows “a $716 million investment in this year’s budget to prioritise Closing the Gap initiatives.”
Many First Nations folks are happy that this battle is finally finally finally over. Take for instance, Cheree Toka, a proud Kamilaroi woman who’s been campaigning for this change since 2017. In an interview with the Inner West’s Mayor, Darcy Byrne, she said, “I feel ecstatic, I feel over the moon, I feel like a five year long journey has finally paid off.”
If you want to learn about First Nations peoples, cultures, and histories, then here’s some other article about these subjects on The Latch:
A Brief History of The Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra
We Can’t Just Show Up for NAIDOC Week
Indigenous Australian Artists and Makers to Support and Shop
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