Albury councillor argues bid to have Aboriginal flag at war memorial is motivated by Greens politics

Henk van de Ven was speaking to The Border Mail after he was revealed as one of the backers of a motion to rescind a council decision to fund two extra flag poles on Monument Hill to fly the Indigenous flags.

The move has been initiated by councillor Darren Cameron and also has the support of another past mayor Alice Glachan.

It will be debated at Monday night's council meeting.

Cr van de Ven suggested the push by Greens deputy mayor Amanda Cohn for the flags was motivated above all by politics.

"It's a really special place, the memorial, and there's no place for political gamesmanship with a site like that," Cr van de Ven said.

"We're having Greens people trying to impose a national agenda on our local community."

Cr van de Ven said the Aboriginal flag was already in the council chamber and "we don't need to display it at a very special site which is the war memorial".

Cr Cohn responded to Cr van de Ven's comments, which follow Cr Cameron criticising her at a meeting last month, by saying the issue was not about her.

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"It's disappointing that councillors are making this debate about me when it should be about how we celebrate and include Albury culture in Albury, especially when a majority of councillors, with a variety of political views, supported the motion, to fly our Indigenous flags at Monument Hill, which passed in December," Cr Cohn said.

Cr Cameron said he was unsure if his rescission motion would succeed and tipped a close result.

"I would hope common sense prevails, to adopt a position that's contrary to adopted policy is really silly," Cr Cameron said referring to the council having a policy to consult with the Albury RSL about flags at the memorial.

Cr Cameron said no Aboriginal people had contacted the council requesting Aboriginal flags at the memorial before the issue being raised in December.

Cr Glachan did not reply to The Border Mail on Thursday.

Councillor and Albury RSL sub-branch president Graham Docksey said he would declare a conflict for the rescission motion and a discussion about plans for the war memorial bowl on the side of Monument Hill.

The latter involves adopting a draft master plan which would result in around $500,000 being spent on improvements at the site.

They would include a new playground and flying fox, drinking fountain, fitness equipment, upgraded walking track and a fresh semi-formal memorial garden with seating.

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