The Victorian government has declared that the Aboriginal flag would remain a permanent fixture on Melbourne’s West Gate Bridge.
In honor of NAIDOC week, the flag is currently perched atop the famous structure. It will stay there, together with the Australian flag, when the festival is over on Sunday.
Following the recent decision by NSW to place it on the Sydney Harbour Bridge before the end of the year at a cost of $25 million, Victoria is now the second state to fly the Aboriginal flag permanently on its most recognizable bridge.
Since 2019, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags have alternately flown above the West Gate Bridge during NAIDOC and Reconciliation weeks.
The move, according to the Victorian government, is intended to recognize the significance of the flag as a representation of First Peoples across the state’s unity, identity, and resiliency.
One of our most recognizable sights, according to Minister Ben Carroll, is the West Gate Bridge.
“Now, the thousands of drivers who cross the bridge each day can see the proudly flying Aboriginal flag over our city.”
The state flag of Victoria will be replaced by the Aboriginal flag atop the bridge until a more long-term solution is found.
In addition to the Aboriginal and Australian flags, the state government will consider how to fly the Torres Strait Islander and Victorian flags.
Native American chiefs supported the move.
According to Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation chair Kelly Lehmann, “the Aboriginal flag represents inclusivity, acknowledgment, and respect, and having it flown permanently above the West Gate Bridge demonstrates this dedication to Aboriginal communities in Victoria.”
In the meantime, after a five-year campaign by community leaders, the Aboriginal flag will fly permanently over the Sydney Harbour Bridge by the end of the year.
Along with the state flag of NSW, it will fly.
According to NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, flying the flag alongside the national and state flags of Australia and NSW is a significant step in closing the inequality gap.
In order for young Australians to comprehend the deep and enduring culture that we have here with our heritage, he stated last month, “Our Indigenous history should be celebrated and acknowledged.”
“Just that will be accomplished by permanently erecting the Aboriginal flag atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which represents a continuation of the healing process as part of the larger movement towards reconciliation.”