City of Launceston considers new flag policy

Published on 09 July 2021

The City of Launceston will next week consider a new Flying of Flags policy which would see the Aboriginal flag flown permanently alongside the Australian flag on the Town Hall and Albert Hall.

Should the new policy be adopted, it would pave the way for planning applications to be lodged in order to allow additional flagpoles on the roofs of both buildings.

The Aboriginal flag is already flown by the Council each day at the city's premier cultural institution, the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, as well as at Home Point on the banks of the kanamaluka / Tamar Estuary.

The Torres Strait Islander flag is also flown during NAIDOC Week.

However, Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said it was time to review the existing Flying of Flags policy with a view to also flying the Aboriginal flag on buildings like the Town Hall and Albert Hall.

"Through its work in developing a Cultural Strategy, creating new exhibitions to tell indigenous stories at QVMAG, and through continuing dialogue with members of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community, the City of Launceston is committed to recognising and respecting the history and culture of the First Tasmanians," Mayor van Zetten said.

"The new Flying of Flags policy which will be considered at next week's Council meeting is another step on that journey.

"Council officers have already undertaken engagement work with Heritage Tasmania and the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre in drafting the new policy, and I'm looking forward to the discussion around the table."