Aboriginal flag to fly permanently on Harbour Bridge as NSW counts down to state budget – follow live

Building on the announcement mentioned below, here is the AAP report on the Aboriginal flag having a permanent home on the Sydney Harbour Bridge:

The Aboriginal flag will have a permanent spot on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, with the NSW government committing $25 million to install a third flagpole by the end of the year.

Flying the Aboriginal flag alongside the Australian and NSW state flags was an important gesture towards Closing the Gap, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said about the 2022/23 budget announcement.

Our Indigenous history should be celebrated and acknowledged so young Australians understand the rich and enduring culture that we have here with our past,” Mr Perrottet said in a statement on Sunday.

Installing the Aboriginal flag permanently on the Sydney Harbour Bridge will do just that and is a continuation of the healing process as part of the broader move towards reconciliation.”

The flagpoles are about 20 metres high, the same as a six-storey building, while the flags require an attachment strong enough to withstand all weather conditions.

Transport for NSW and Aboriginal Affairs will engage with key Aboriginal stakeholders about the project.

Good morning and happy Sunday, Mostafa Rachwani with you on another cold day on the east coast.

We begin with news that the NSW government has announced that the Aboriginal flag will have a permanent spot on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The AAP is reporting that the government has committed $25m to install a third flagpole by the end of the year.

The commitment comes amid a bit of a spending spree from the NSW government in advance of its budget next week. Yesterday, the government announced a $100m investment into women’s safety in public places, at home and in the workplace. It comes only days after the government announced a $12bn investment in the early childhood sector.

Sticking with NSW, the Australian Energy Market Operator has confirmed a large fire at an electrical substation in Illawarra will not affect electricity supply. The fire was contained last night at the the substation on the Princes Highway at Yallah, south of Dapto, with Aemo confirming in a tweet it will not disrupt supply.

There is still much going on, so let’s dive in.