More flags set to fly

By Lachlan Ellis

A new Flag Flying Policy has passed at the latest Ordinary Meeting of Council (October 5), allowing flags other than the four currently flown at Moorabool Shire Council buildings to be flown.

The Policy was tabled at Council’s September Ordinary Meeting, with a period from 8 to 27 September set for the community to view and provide feedback on the policy on the ‘Have Your Say’ online platform.

Under the Flag Flying Policy, community members or organisations can apply to Council to have flags other than the four currently flown at Council’s offices flown, with the CEO (or delegate) responsible for considering or approving applications.

The Flag Flying Policy also includes the flying of the Rainbow Flag every IDAHOBIT Day on 17 May.

Council currently flies four flags at its offices: the Australian National Flag, the Victorian State Flag, the Australian Aboriginal Flag, and the Moorabool Shire Pennant at the Civic Office in Darley.

The policy had one speaker address Council in support, Dr Sean Mulcahy from the Victorian Pride Lobby.

Dr Mulcahy said the community consultation in September had shown “overwhelming support” for flying the Rainbow Flag, and asked Council to “listen to the community and support the flying of the Rainbow Flag”.

Cr Tonia Dudzik moved the motion, which was seconded by Cr Moira Berry. Mayor Cr Tom Sullivan sought leave to speak against the motion, with Cr Rod Ward assuming the Chair.

As the mover of the motion, Cr Dudzik began the debate.

“The Council Flag Flying Policy is something we haven’t had over the years, it’s time that we actually did adopt one. We’re following what is considered as standard across many local government areas. I think it’s great we’re getting it in place, and it’s important that we consider all facets of the community, and it’s good that a change in this policy will include the Rainbow Flag,” she said.

In his address against the motion, Cr Sullivan noted that Council did need a Flag Flying Policy, but said he had a number of concerns, including the inclusion of the Rainbow Flag without going through the policy’s application process.

He also noted the low number of submissions to the Have Your Say online survey – 23 submissions, and only six identified as Moorabool residents, compared to Moorabool’s population of around 36,000 people.

“Councillors, Moorabool doesn’t have a Flag Flying Policy and does need a Flag Flying Policy. There’s a total of four flags flown across the Shire, yet the policy includes a flag that isn’t currently part of our process. By default, the policy seeks to include a flag by stealth rather than going through the process of admission of a new flag spelt out by the policy itself,” he said.

“Only six respondents [to the Have Your Say survey], as I read it, appear to reside in Moorabool Shire. Six out of 36,000 [residents].”

Cr Sullivan suggested that if the motion failed, it should be deferred to come before a future assembly of Council.

With that, the motion went to a vote, with Crs Dudzik, Berry, David Edwards and Paul Tatchell voting in favour, and Cr Sullivan voted against.

Cr Tatchell noted that he and Cr Edwards had mistakenly not been invited to speak before the vote, but nevertheless, it was passed.

Cr Ally Munari was an apology at the meeting.