Sydney Harbour Bridge To Permanently Replace NSW Flag For Aboriginal Recognition

After a debate over erecting a third flag pole on the bridge, the New South Wales (NSW) government has officially decided to replace the state flag with the Aboriginal flag. 

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced that the government was giving the flag a new permanent home where the country’s history could be properly celebrated. 

The government had originally budgeted $25 million (US$17 million) for the construction of a third flag pole to allow all three flags to be hoisted together. Citizens were reportedly unhappy about the price tag.

Perrottet also expressed his dissatisfaction with the amount and called for a rethinking of the project, which was eventually shelved in order for the funds to be used for other initiatives that will have a real impact on the Aboriginal community. 

As part of the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee Week celebrations, the Aboriginal flag has already been flying on the bridge for the past week. And, despite the fact that it was scheduled to be removed on Monday, it has been decided that it will remain in its new location indefinitely. 

The NSW state flag will instead be relocated to the Macquarie Street East redevelopment, which Perrottet intends to turn into a historic site. 

[via The Sydney Morning Herald and CNN, Photo 142600814 © Esmehelit | Dreamstime.com]