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

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Birmingham. In 1992 Senator Ron Boswell said:

This chamber must be one of the very few, if not the only chamber, of any parliament in the world that does not display its national symbol.

His motion to fly the Australian flag in this place was adopted unanimously. Yesterday, during NAIDOC Week, this government voted against a motion to display the other official Australian flags, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, in this chamber. Why has the Morrison government denied First Nations people the pride of seeing our flags displayed in this chamber?

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Birmingham is going to be given an opportunity to at least commence the answer in silence.

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator McCarthy, for the question. This being NAIDOC Week and this also being Remembrance Day, can I start in responding to your question by acknowledging not only all of those who have served our country, as we remember them on Remembrance Day, but also, to particularly acknowledge, the many Indigenous Australians who have served our country—especially those who served through the early years, when, indeed, their recognition was lacking in many other parts of society and constitutionally, yet they still sought to defend our great nation.

In relation to the question that Senator McCarthy has asked about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, the motion that was put yesterday was addressed by Senator Ruston in remarks on behalf of the government. The government believes it's appropriate for the Australian national flag to be flown in this chamber. As you said, Senator McCarthy, in relation to the remarks that Senator Boswell made at the time, that is our national symbol. It is the national flag, and, Senator McCarthy—through you, Mr President—that remains the government's position.

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! I will call Senator McCarthy when there is silence. I would like to hear Senator McCarthy's question. Senator McCarthy, a supplementary question?

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

The Australian citizenship test include a section on Australia's flags—the Australian flag, the Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag. Why does the government ask new citizens to recognise these flags when it refuses to let these official Australian flags be flown inside this building?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As Senator Ruston said in her remarks yesterday, there are a number of occasions, including inside of this building, when the Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag are flown. So it is the case that they are flown inside of this building. That was not what yesterday's motion related to; it was specific to inside of this chamber. In relation to our national flags, indeed there are, I think, five recognised national flags across Australia. We do, in terms of the citizenship test, set an importance on understanding a number of different aspects of Australian society, including the recognition of those flags.

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! I'll call Senator McCarthy when there is silence. Senator McCarthy, a final supplementary question?

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

Liberal governments in New South Wales, Tasmania and, soon, South Australia all fly the Aboriginal flag in their parliaments. Will the minister, as Leader of the Government in the Senate, reconsider and support the motion to fly the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags here in the Senate?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Those, of course, are matters for each chamber in each parliament, as is the case. This chamber, no doubt, will consider whatever motions come before it. The government's position was clearly explained and articulated yesterday. Of course we will continue at appropriate occasions throughout this building to fly the flags as appropriate.