The Aboriginal flag is now available for public use, after its designer agreed to a $20 million deal that includes transfer of copyright to the Commonwealth following long negotiations.
However a statement from the Prime Minister that “We’ve freed the Aboriginal flag for Australians” has drawn sharp criticism from the chair of Catholic Social Services Australia, Francis Sullivan, who says the ongoing disadvantage and marginalisation of First Nations people continues across Australia.
Indigenous artist Harold Thomas designed the flag in 1970 to represent Aboriginal people and their connection to the land, and while was used as an official national flag since the end of the last century, the copyright remained with Mr Thomas.
Anyone who wanted to use the flag legally had to ask permission or pay a fee.
The government paid $20.05 million to Mr Thomas and licence holders to extinguish the licences and secure copyright.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the flag would be managed in a similar manner to the Australian national flag, where its use is free, but must be presented in a “respectful and dignified way”.
“All Australians can now put the Aboriginal Flag on apparel such as sports jerseys and shirts, it can be painted on sports grounds, included on websites, in paintings and other artworks, used digitally and in any other medium without having to ask for permission or pay a fee,” Mr Morrison said.
“We’ve freed the Aboriginal flag for Australians.”
Speaking on the eve of Australia Day, Mr Sullivan detailed the disadvantage that indigenous communities struggle with including below average vaccination rates, access to health services, education and social services.
“The First Nations suicide rate is double that of the general population,” he said.
“Well under a third of First Nations students finish year 12 compared to almost 90 per cent of non-indigenous Australians.
“Twice as many First Nations children aged below four are likely to die as non-Indigenous children and First Nations people make up roughly a third of all full-time prisoners, while accounting for just 2 per cent of Australian’s adult population.
“The statistics go on to tell an appalling story of disrespect and disregard.
“Little will be achieved by the Commonwealth holding the copyright to the Aboriginal flag to address this appalling situation.
“The Prime Minister says ‘We’ve freed the Aboriginal flag for Australians,’ how about freeing indigenous communities from systemic and institutionalised poverty and deprivation,” Mr Sullivan said.
