The then, Department of Transport, Minister of Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll and Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Gabrielle Williams, at the end of NAIDOC Week 2022 announced the Aboriginal Flag will be flown on the West Gate Bridge permanently alongside the Australian Flag.
Since 2019, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags were flown on rotation atop the West Gate Bridge only during Reconciliation and NAIDOC Weeks. The flags represent a symbol of unity, identity and resilience used proudly by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia.
In June 2022, the Department worked closely with the First People’s Assembly of Victoria, the Minister of Treaty and First Peoples, Gabrielle Williams and Registered Aboriginal Party Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation on whose Country the West Gate Bridge is located, all support the permanent installation of the Aboriginal Flag in preparation of the Aboriginal Flag permanent raising of the flag during NAIDOC week.
The installation of additional flagpoles will form part of future investigations which will ensure that the bridge remains structurally safe.
Flying the Aboriginal Flag permanently demonstrates Victoria’s commitment to Aboriginal self-determination and acknowledges and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, history, heritage and culture. Now a permanent fixture in the Victorian skyline.
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