From the Broome Advertiser:

Racism blamed for flags
Steven Hounsome

ABORIGINAL and Torres Strait Islander flags emblazoned with swastikas and found flying on October 27 at the Broome Highway-Short Street roundabout were the work of “gutless racists”, according to Kimberley Land Council chairman Wayne Bergmann.

The flags, which hung about 2m in length from one of the newly installed roundabout lights, were reported to the Shire by a KLC staff member about 1pm. Broome Shire president Graeme Campbell said staff immediately set about removing the flags. But Horizon Power staff took the offending items down before they were required.

“I don’t know how it got there but it’s appalling that something like that happened,” Cr Campbell said. “There’s no reason for it.”

Mr Bergmann said the action was “extremely distasteful and disappointing” and he was at a loss to explain what may have sparked it. “It’s a complete disrespect, we all live in this community and it shows how pathetic some people can be in trying to incite a race card,” he said.

“The police should take this very seriously and investigate. Actions like this need to be stamped out - unless challenged they may encourage further racial vilification.”

But Mr Bergmann said he believed the majority in Broome were tolerant. He said the last time he had come across anything of this magnitude was about six years ago when pamphlets were distributed making derogatory comments about the stolen generation.

Broome police Sen. Sgt Rob Neesham said the action would not fall under racial vilification laws but declined to comment further on the incident.