Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to take note of Minister Birmingham's answer to my question on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. Within the numerous questions and supplementary questions that I asked, one of the things I noticed was the question around the Australian citizenship test, which includes a section on Australia's flags—the Australian flag, the Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag. There really did not appear to be a substantial response to that. I think it is very curious that people who move to Australia and sit this citizenship test have pointed out to them the importance of these flags, not just the Australian flag but the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. I spoke about it earlier today on this most sacred day, Remembrance Day, when we stop at 11 o'clock to remember those who fought for our country. I spoke about the importance of First Nations Black Diggers, as they're called, not only in terms of the marches on Anzac Day but also in terms of the work of the Australian War Memorial and its recognition. I must point out that that was under the previous director, Dr Brendan Nelson. I commend the work that he's done, along with others who've worked there, such as Squadron Leader Gary Oakley, who worked at the Australian War Memorial as an Indigenous liaison officer. I commend the importance of that institution reconciling the significance of First Nations soldiers—men and women—who have defended Australia over centuries not just externally in terms of other countries but also internally with the frontier wars.

Symbolism is important. The question in the citizenship test about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags shows that this government obviously sees it as important. The minister was asked about the Liberal governments in New South Wales, Tasmania and, soon, South Australia flying the Aboriginal flag in their parliaments and whether he would, especially this week, reconsider the motion that was before the Senate in relation to that symbol of respect for First Nations people. That motion was put to the Senate in August. It's not something that came up just because of NAIDOC Week. It was prolonged and that resulted in it being put forward in NAIDOC Week simply because we were being respectful and urging the government to have the dialogue and the discussion. Instead, the prolonging of it clearly meant that it was not a priority.

I'd like to point out that the minister didn't respond to the question about whether the motion would or could be reconsidered here in the Senate, even though the Liberal parliaments in New South Wales, Tasmania and, soon, South Australia will be flying the Aboriginal flag in their parliaments. I think that's really telling, especially as this is the federal parliament, the parliament of the Australian people. If ever there were an opportunity to say, 'Maybe we need to reconsider this,' then it would be this week in particular, NAIDOC Week. It would be an incredibly generous and gracious thing for this Senate to do. It would send the right message of unity—bringing First Nations people and non-Indigenous people together over something as symbolic and sacred as the Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag.

As Senator Pat Dodson said, there are 44 flags flying out the front and most of them are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. I think that's a really beautiful thing. I certainly call on the Senate and the minister, who didn't answer the supplementary questions, to reconsider putting back to the Senate, and supporting, the motion to fly the First Nations' flags.

Question agreed to.