Why a missing detail on a flyer has sparked outrage: 'No longer consider us Australian'
Mornington Peninsula Shire issued the kindergarten flyer with Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and LGBTQ + Progress Pride flags below the council logo, but omitted Australia's national flag.
The flyer, which encourages parents to enrol their children for kindergarten in 2026, was picked up by angry residents who shared their outrage on social media.
One resident shared a picture of the flyer and wrote: 'Apparently the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council no longer consider us Australian.'
She said she was 'disgusted' the council 'thought it was representative'.
Another commented: 'Wow! A new low! We should call and ask about our responsibility for rates as Australians!'
'We are all represented by one flag. Only a very small percentage of people are represented by the other three,' another person said.
Someone else questioned: 'Why the need for any flags on a flyer?'
Local councillor for Tootgarook ward Cam Williams addressed the criticism on the post and said the council 'didn't know it went out like that, we are trying to rectify it'.
He noted the matter would be raised at the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council meeting on Tuesday night.
Despite the backlash, some residents felt the issue didn't need to be raised urgently at the latest meeting.
'Council shouldn't be co opted (or allow themselves to be co opted) by the politicisation of a minority of annoyed voices who read far more into this than needed,' one commented.
'This should have been addressed by email, not a vote.'
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council mayor Anthony Marsh said he and chief executive officer Mark Stoermer were not aware of the flyer prior to the backlash.
'This flyer was produced and distributed without the knowledge or endorsement of the council, me as Mayor or the CEO,' he told Sky News.
'We are investigating how this occurred and will fix it.'
'I acknowledge that the lack of the Australian flag has caused concern.
'I understand our flag policy is being updated to ensure it is featured on every document where flags are shown, and I suspect this will now be expedited as a result of this issue.'
The council expected a 'larger attendance than usual' at Tuesday's meeting and had made special arrangements to 'ensure safety for attendees'.
'The Council Chamber has a public audience capacity of 45 people. Access to this space is on a first come basis,' an announcement on the council's website read.
'To accommodate any overflow, the meeting will be live-streamed to meeting rooms one and two, just outside the chamber.
The capacity for this combined space is 50. The main doors will be closed if capacity is reached.'
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