The question of whether aged care homes should display the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags alongside the Australian flag on Australia Day has recently become a point of contention and confusion for many aged care staff and providers.
Aged care homes traditionally go to great lengths to decorate their facilities for significant days, including Australia Day.
However, staff and providers are caught in a dilemma: they want to honour inclusivity and respect cultural diversity, yet are hesitant to celebrate a day many Indigenous leaders and communities find deeply painful.
Some staff members, speaking anonymously, revealed confusion about the correct approach. One staff member stated, “I was told not to display the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags on Australia Day.’
Others worry about offending residents, particularly veterans or their families, who might see the Australian flag as the sole representation of their service and sacrifice.
Senator Pauline Hanson, leader of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party, has publicly opposed the practice of displaying Indigenous flags alongside the Australian flag in aged care homes, arguing it represents division and undermines the significance of the Australian flag.
“I have never supported the Aboriginal flag having the status of a ‘national’ flag, and I’ve opposed its display in Parliament House, on government buildings and at significant landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge.” She told HelloCare.
“There is only one flag that represents our nation and all its people – the Australian flag – and it’s the only one which should be flown.”
Hanson also highlighted the historical origins of the Australian flag, which she views as the sole unifying symbol of the nation:
“The Australian flag was the subject of a national competition in the early days of Federation, and a vote by the Australian people. Australians chose our national flag, but we’ve never been given a say about the Aboriginal flag.”
She also argues that the inclusion of the Aboriginal flag could alienate some aged care residents, in particular, veterans.
“Many residents of aged care facilities and nursing homes would be veterans or family to veterans who fought and sacrificed under one flag – the Australian flag – and I believe many of them would not appreciate the Aboriginal flag being flown above their home, nor support the community division the Aboriginal flag represents.”
A Broader Context of Division
Opposition to Australia Day on 26 January has grown over the past decade, driven by Indigenous leaders highlighting the date’s association with colonisation and its ongoing impact. However, recent polls indicate shifting public sentiment.
A survey conducted by the Institute of Public Affairs found that 68.5% of Australians believe Australia Day should remain on 26 January – a 4.5% increase from the previous year.
The result of the 2023 Indigenous Voice referendum, where the proposed constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians was rejected nationally and in every state, also reflects a growing resistance to perceived “race-based” divisions in the nation.
In its outreach to Indigenous organisations for input, HelloCare received no responses, highlighting the sensitivities surrounding this issue.
However, resources from organisations like Evolve Communities, which provides Indigenous cultural awareness training, offer guidance on navigating Australia Day with sensitivity and inclusivity.
Evolve Communities recommends engaging with First Nations peoples to understand their perspectives and exploring ways to acknowledge Australia Day that honour both celebration and reflection.
Suggestions include inviting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders to participate in events, incorporating moments of silence, and ensuring the inclusion of Indigenous flags if the Australian flag is displayed.
The organisation notes that for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the Australian flag serves as a reminder of colonisation. Therefore, flying their flags alongside the Australian flag can signal recognition and respect for the country’s Indigenous heritage.
The question of whether aged care homes should display Indigenous flags on Australia Day ultimately reflects a broader national conversation about reconciliation, inclusion, and the complexities of Australia’s history.
While some residents and staff may feel that flying these flags fosters respect and inclusivity, others may see it as a political statement or a source of division. This diversity of opinions underscores the importance of open dialogue within aged care facilities.
As one staff member told HelloCare: “There’s no easy answer. What matters most is that we listen to everyone’s perspectives – residents, families, and staff – and approach this issue with sensitivity.”
Note: In its quest to provide balance, HelloCare reached out to the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, The National Indigenous Times and Indigenous Spokesperson and lawyer Noel Pearson but did not receive correspondence relating to the issue.
