Albury Youth Council seeking pride flag be displayed inside Albury Council chamber at all times

A bid for permanent display of the flag which represents the LGBTQI+ community was made during the recent divisive debate within council which zeroed in on the installation of Indigenous flags on Monument Hill and was eventually agreed to by council.

During a fiery debate, deputy mayor and Greens Party member Amanda Cohn was accused of using the issue as a means to seek higher political office by Labor Party member and former state and federal election candidate, Darren Cameron.

Albury's Youth Council president Eli Davern, who is also a Greens member, said it wanted council to show Albury's support for the LGBTQI+ community.

"It will hopefully provide people with a feeling of safety and respect in the council," he said.

"Albury Council has got a really good track record of supporting the LGBTQI+ community.

"In 2014 the council endorsed marriage equality, they lit up MAMA in the rainbow colours.

"I'm just wanting to extend the support to a more visual representation."

The permanent display of the pride flag in the council chamber is not in line with council's adopted civic flag display protocol because it is not an official ensign under the Australian Flags Act.

"Council could consider its temporary display during council meetings on national days, periods of celebration," the staff report to council states.

"Given the request was made by the youth council, council officers can seek their input into relevant dates for 2021.

"(Council) receives numerous requests to light buildings or key locations, recognise dates, commemorations or celebrations, and to mark key milestones.

"Where possible and appropriate, the city works to support such requests, which may or may not include display of a flag."

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