MEDIA RELEASE

Hon Shaoquett Moselmane MLC

MEMBER OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PARLIAMENT OF NEW SOUTH WALES
Thursday, 22 November 2012 HISTORIC DECISION TO DISPLAY ABORIGINAL FLAG IN NSW UPPER HOUSE AFTER 188 YEARS Labor MLC Shaoquett Moselmane today succeeded in his campaign to have the Aboriginal flag displayed in the Upper House of NSW Parliament. Mr Moselmane passed a motion today calling for the Aboriginal flag to be displayed in the Legislative Council chamber, and it was passed unanimously. "This is a historic moment for the NSW Parliament," Mr Moselmane said. "The Legislative Council is the oldest legislative body in Australia having first met in 1824. "While this is a symbolic gesture, I think it speaks volumes about our state's history and recognises our first nation. "In its entire 188 year history, the Legislative Council has not displayed the Aboriginal flag at its meetings or in the Legislative Council Chamber - despite the Legislative Assembly doing so. "I was disappointed when I realised that the Legislative Council didn't display the Aboriginal flag. "This gesture today heralds back to my focus on Indigenous rights and parliamentary representation in my inaugural speech," Mr Moselmane said. Deputy Opposition Leader and Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Linda Burney the first Indigenous person elected to the NSW Parliament, and a member of the Wirajuri Nation said that she was pleased that the flag will now be displayed. "This is recognition of the Aboriginal peoples' first nation status and I'm pleased that the flag will now be flown in both houses," Ms Burney said. "I also would like to thank all members of the Legislative Council for unanimously supporting this motion today," Mr Moselmane said. Media Contact: Shaoquett Moselmane MLC (02) 9230 2526

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

DISPLAY OF THE ABORIGINAL FLAG IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER

970. Mr Moselmane to move 1. That this House notes that: (a) New South Wales is the countrys most populated state, with the oldest parliament and a proud history of inclusion, the Australian Aboriginal people represent forty thousand years of history, and are a people that are a fundamental part of Australian society, Parliaments across the nation proudly display the Aboriginal flags in their buildings and the New South Wales Legislative Assembly is no exception, and the Legislative Council, however, does not display the Aboriginal flag.

(b)

(c)

(d)

2.

That this House: (a) notes that the Legislative Council does not display within it the Aboriginal flag, and resolves to rectify this anomaly by displaying the Aboriginal flag in the chamber of the Legislative Council.

(b)

(Notice given 24 October 2012. Passed unanimously on 22 November 2012)