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politics17h ago
‘Removing flags doesn’t stop racism’: regional NSW council abandons plan to stop flying Aboriginal flag
- The Corowa Federation Council abandoned its plan to ban Indigenous flags after public submissions opposed the idea.
- Most local residents who submitted opposed the proposal, with 84% of in-shire submissions against it.
- A council vote split four to four, with one abstention, before flags were removed.
- The flags had been inside council chambers since 2022, not on external flagpoles.
- Mayor Cheryl Cook argued submissions showed many wanted flags removed or ceremonies restricted.
- Some residents argued removing flags could send the wrong message, citing racism concerns.
- The council considered reconciling actions and protocols with Wiradjuri and Bangerang traditional owners.
- The decision followed a public consultation that drew nearly 900 submissions on the matter.
- The council’s temporary removal of flags occurred despite no formal resolution to certify their installation.
- The debate occurred 18 months after a neo-Nazi march in Corowa.
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