Opposition leader Peter Dutton has sparked controversy by announcing that, if elected, he would remove the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags from official press conferences held by the Australian government.
His remarks, made during a media interview with Sky News host Peta Credlin, have drawn a mixed response from both political figures and the public, with many seeing it as a significant statement on the nation's approach to Indigenous issues.
Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, strongly opposed Dutton’s remarks, accusing him of undermining the significance of the Aboriginal flag, which has long been a symbol of identity and resilience.
"Peter Dutton is once again proving himself unfit to be Prime Minister... yet again, he’s seeking to divide Australians and grab a few culture war headlines.
"The Australian Aboriginal Flag and Torres Strait Islander Flag were proclaimed flags of Australia under section 5 of the Flags Act 1953 on 14 July 1995.
"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture is the oldest continuing culture in the world, and I believe all Australians should take great pride in that," she said in a statement to NITV.
MP and former Indigenous Affairs Minister, Linda Burney, said that Dutton's announcement should come as no surprise.
"Peter Dutton is the man who walked out on the Apology to the Stolen Generations... This is the man who gave no support to the Referendum.
Linda Burney shared strong criticisms on social media. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch
Dutton, leader of the Liberal Party, stated that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags' presence in press conferences is a symbol of division.
“I’m very strongly of the belief that we are a country united under one flag and if we’re asking people to identify with different flags, no other country does that, and we are dividing our country unnecessarily,” he told Sky News.
“We should have respect for the Indigenous flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag, but they are not our national flags."
The prime minister Anthony Albanese began standing in front of all three flags when he was elected in 2022.
Anthony Albanese standing in front of all three flags at a press conference. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
“We should stand up for who we are, for our values, what we believe in. We are united as a country when we gather under one flag, which is what we should do on Australia Day,” Mr Dutton said.
Dutton consistently does press conferences without the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flag behind him.
