NSW state flag is permanently replaced on Sydney Harbour Bridge and flag fans are not happy

The decision to remove the NSW state flag from the Sydney Harbour Bridge has upset some die-hard State of Origin fans, who argue they will now go unrepresented. 

The Aboriginal flag will permanently replace the state flag on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge from this week, with Premier Dominic Perrottet spectacularly backflipping on plans to erect a third pole on the landmark for $25million.

While the decision to install the Indigenous flag was broadly welcomed by the community, one prominent talkback radio host has blasted the move, arguing the two flags should be permanently on rotation.

2GB and Sky News host Chris Smith said the state flag represents ‘eight million Blues’ – a reference to the colour of NSW State of Origin side, on the week this year’s competition is decided. 

‘Why can’t a flag representing 8 million die hard Blues get to fly on the Bridge?,’ Mr Smith wrote in a Twitter post on Sunday evening. 

‘Can we not leave it all as it was and rotate the NSW flag with the indigenous flag?’

Another commentator, Liberal Party member Lincoln Parker, added: ‘So we lose the NSW flag – right on eve of the Origin decider. Shame on them.’

Others told the media personality ‘you’re better than this.’ 

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet on Sunday confirmed the Aboriginal flag – which replaced the state flag and has been flying above the bridge for the past week as part of NAIDOC celebrations – will remain permanently. 

Mr Perrottet said the extraordinary $25m bill would be better spend on initiatives to close the gap for Indigenous Australians. 

‘This is a practical and pragmatic solution which makes sense and ensures that we celebrate our nation’s ancient heritage alongside its modern history in a continuing story, which we can all be part of, and celebrate together as one,’ Perrottet told the Sydney Morning Herald. 

New South Wales residents argued the state flag (pictured) should be flown together or in rotation with the Aboriginal flag

The state flag will be relocated to the Macquarie Street East redevelopment, near the Barracks at Hyde Park. Mr Perrottet is hoping to establish the site as a new historical hub for the city.

‘The work that we’re doing on Macquarie Street – I will ensure that the NSW flag has a place there of prominence so that people can see it, appreciate it, learn from it and value it,’ Mr Perrottet said.

After Perrottet announced NSW’s commitment, the Victorian government also this month decided to permanently fly the Aboriginal flag on Melbourne’s West Gate Bridge. 

Australia’s state flags were created created between 1870 and 1904 and represented the separate colonies before the nation’s federation. 

Gradually the flags came to be used on land by the state governments and from the 1970s their wider public use as a state flag was encouraged. 

Fans of the New South Wales state flag said its replacement has come at a crucial time for the state – days before State of Origin’s game three clash between NSW blues (pictured) and Queensland Maroons

The State of Origin is an annual best-of-three rugby league series between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons.  

Game three is on Wednesday July 13 with the Maroons hosting the Blues at Suncorp Stadium, Queensland. 

There have been 124 State of Origin games, with 66 wins to Queensland, 56 to NSW and two draws. The Maroons have won 22 series to the Blues’ 16, with two drawn (1999 and 2002).

Queensland have held the shield aloft just once since 2017, after an era in which they incredibly won 11 of 12 series.