Walton flags recision

By Shaun Inguanzo
A COUNCILLOR who moved a recommendation without first looking at it has disappointed supporters of the South Vietnamese flag.
Lyndale Ward councillor Sue Walton is believed to be considering a recision motion to council’s decision not to acknowledge the former South Vietnamese flag as a community flag.
At Monday’s council meeting, Cr Walton said she “moved before looking at the recommendation” and later found she did not agree with it.
But the motion was earlier seconded and passed unanimously.
Officers recommended the council reject the request and “continue the practice of the Australian Government in relation to the display and flying of only official flags of recognised states at council venues”.
Officers said the council should ‘acknowledge’ Vietnamese community groups would hold private functions flying the flag.
A letter from Vietnam War Memorial of Victoria committee member John Filmer dated 26 August to Cr Walton said the organisation was disappointed by the recommendation as it did not address the issue.
“We do not ask the City of Greater Dandenong to fly this flag on council buildings or properties, but to be able to fly the community flag with pride at appropriate celebrations and commemorations within our city,” he said.
News of the bungle further disappointed Mr Filmer, but he said he had heard the council was likely to further consider the matter.
“Hopefully they will treat the issue specifically on recognising the flag purely as a community flag,” he said.
Cr Walton told Star after the meeting she would fight for the flag to become a community flag, despite the error, by discussing her options – which include a recision – with council officers.