Councillors have unanimously endorsed a recommendation for the City of Launceston’s inaugural Aboriginal Partnership Plan to be sent out for community consultation.
Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said the plan has been developed through meaningful conversations with a broad range of Aboriginal people in the region.
“As a Council, we genuinely value the relationship we have with local Aboriginal people and the broader Aboriginal community,” Mayor van Zetten.
“We haven’t got things right or been perfect and there have been mistakes along the way, but we have always acknowledged those mistakes and apologised for them.
“There has always been a strong desire and responsibility upon us to respond to the needs of Aboriginal people in our community.
“The development of this plan has certainly been a journey of understanding and learning for the City of Launceston.
“We hope that this plan will enable us to celebrate and recognise the history, achievements and culture of First Nations people – because it is Australia’s true and original culture.”
Mayor van Zetten said that while the plan is still in its draft form, the Council over the past four years had already made a number of positive steps forward in its journey.
“For the first time, the City of Launceston flies the Aboriginal flag over Town Hall – permanently,” Mayor van Zetten said.
“We no longer support the celebration of Australia Day activities on January 26 – a day that Council recognises is distressing to many people in our community.
“And we are taking steps to urge the Federal Government to release us and all other local government authorities across the country from holding citizenship ceremonies on January 26.
“We believe it is important that we continue to represent the views of all members of our community, as well as finding new ways to celebrate shared pride in our country.”
The Aboriginal Partnership Plan consultation page is live now on the Council’s community engagement platform Your Voice Your Launceston: www.yourvoiceyourlaunceston.com.au/draft-aboriginal-partnership-plan
Submissions will close on Wednesday, November 23.
