Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags are to be flown permanently alongside Australian and Queensland flags outside the state’s major courts building.
Chief Justice Helen Bowskill yesterday released an advisory announcing that a brief flag-raising ceremony would be held outside Brisbane’s QEII Courts of Law complex at 9am on Thursday.
The statement read: “From 9 February 2023, the Supreme Court of Queensland will raise and fly the Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag outside the QEII Courts of Law Complex at all times when the Australian National flag and the Queensland State flag are flown.
“The raising of the Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag, representative of the acknowledged original owners and custodians of the land and waters in and around the whole of the State of Queensland, together with the national flag and the Queensland flag, recognises our shared history and is a symbol of recognition and respect.
“As the necessary flagpoles are installed, the flags will also be raised and flown on a regular basis outside other courthouses around the State.
The QEII Courts of Law complex, which officially opened in August 2012, is home to Queensland’s Court of Appeal, Supreme and District Courts, as well as the ceremonial Banco Court, Supreme Court Library Queensland and Sir Harry Gibbs Legal Heritage Centre.
The complex contains 39 courtrooms, accommodation for 68 judges and an inmate cell block in the basement.
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