Gunnedah Shire councillors are divided on a policy relating to the operational guidelines of the flying and displaying of flags.
A draft flag policy tabled at the September meeting also included the introduction of four flags inside the chamber, with the Australian, NSW, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags to be placed on the rear wall.
The adoption of the policy as it was presented was moved by Cr Kate McGrath and seconded by Cr Linda Newell.
Cr Rob Hooke moved an amendment that only the Australian flag be flown inside the chamber.
The flying of flags on council flagpoles outside the Elgin Street administration building currently includes both the Australian and Aboriginal flag. The proposed policy sets out what flags will fly when there is just one flagpole or multiple flagpoles.
Speaking to his addition, Cr Hooke told the meeting he strongly believed that the council chamber represented all Australians within the local government area.
“I don’t feel that there should be any favour representing any other particular group within this shire,” Cr Hooke said.
“We’re all here under the one flag.
“I think that we run the risk … and I’ve thought this for a long time … that we can go too far in our reconciliation to the point that we start to form segregation.”
Cr Hooke told the meeting that he felt the community was already starting to fracture along the issue of race.
He said the council’s focus was to “represent all of us as Australians”.
Cr Kate McGrath spoke against the amendment and acknowledged that Cr Hooke was entitled to his opinion.
Cr McGrath pointed out that the Aboriginal flag had been included in the national flag protocol since 1995.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags were officially proclaimed as official flags of Australia by the governor-general on 14 July 1995.
“The fact of the matter is that Gunnedah Shire is 20 years behind the rest of the country when it comes to compliant displays of flags,” she said.
“Frankly, with an attitude like that it’s not surprising.”
Cr Juliana McArthur later took issue with Cr McGrath’s final remark, describing it as a slur, and asked that it be retracted.
Cr McGrath doubled down and said she stood by the comment.
Cr Linda Newell, who was appearing via audio-visual link, said she was in agreement with Cr McGrath.
“This was discussed with a group from our community that saw this as a way towards reconciliation,” Cr Newell said.
Cr Newell also said she did not feel that it was a matter of segregation.
“We’re not asking to fly the flags of other countries,” she said.
“These are our First Nations people and I feel they have a place in our chamber.”
Cr Hooke, addressing Cr McGrath’s comment that Gunnedah was 20 years behind, said he did not feel that was the case.
Cr Hooke described Gunnedah as a very inclusive community.
When it came to adopting the amended motion, councillors were split.
Earlier in the meeting, Cr Cameron Moore made a late request to join via audio-visual link, but this was denied.
The vote for the amendment was split four votes each way, with mayor Colleen Fuller using her casting vote in favour of the amendment.
The draft flag policy is currently on public display.
Submissions can be made during the exhibition period online at yoursay.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au; by email at [email protected] (with the name of the plan, policy or item in the subject line and a name and contact details included); by post to Gunnedah Shire Council, PO Box 63, Gunnedah 2380; or hard copy submissions over the counter at the council’s administration building at 63 Elgin Street, Gunnedah.
Submissions close on 14 October.
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