Perth Voice Interactive

STIRLING city council has launched an Aboriginal reconciliation action plan but mayor Giovanni Italiano remains non-committal about flying the Aboriginal flag all year round.

In a glossy 17-page plan the council states one of its 2015 goals is “flying the Aboriginal flag”.

When the Voice asked Cr Italiano if that was his preference we received a computer-generated fluffbite.

“I will support protocols that come from the implementation of the plan that are endorsed by council,” he says.

“I support the reconciliation action plan in its entirety along with council and reconciliation Australia.”

It was only in November 2010 that the council voted to permit the flag to fly during NAIDOC and reconciliation week.

In 2012, on the eve of NAIDOC week, former mayor David Boothman conceded relations between the council and its indigenous community were strained, saying “we need to do more work on this at a council level”.

We received a more human response when we asked Cr Italiano if he thought relations had improved since 2012.

“Some of the elders present at the launch presented speeches and expressed their view that the relationship has improved and that there was an excitement about the future and what will be achieved over the coming year,” he says.

“The city is committed to a number of initiatives, including the support for the Aboriginal Resource Centre that is due to open in July, a premiers award for the Mooro country tours in partnership with the community and a number of very successful events including Christmas celebrations, NAIDOC and Harmony Day.

“Yes, I believe the relationship has improved over recent years as a result of being able to meet, share stories, develop trust and more importantly work together to achieve great outcomes.”

Neighbouring Vincent flies the Aboriginal flag all year round.

Bayswater city council is looking into doing the same.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK