At a community meet the candidates forum hosted at Kiama Uniting Church, the absence of the Australian flag drew criticism from former Liberal MP Joanna Gash, prompting her to write a Letter to the Editor to The Bugle.

But Reverend Kath Merrifield, who moderated the event, says the meaning behind the church’s wall display has been misunderstood.

“We do not have an Australian flag at the church. We never have,” Reverend Merrifield said. “It is not a political decision. It is simply not part of our worship or community space.”

Instead of flags, the church displays coloured fabric panels.

These include the red, black and yellow colours associated with Aboriginal identity, and green, blue and white representing Torres Strait Islander culture.

They are not flags, but cloth strips that have been on the wall since January.

Their purpose is to represent the Uniting Church’s ongoing covenant with First Nations peoples through its national body, the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress.

Andrew Constance, Liberal candidate for Gilmore, speaking at the Meet the Candidates forum at Kiama Uniting Church.

Reverend Merrifield said the cloths reflect the church’s commitment to truth-telling and reconciliation.

“The colours change to mark different church seasons.

"It is part of our spiritual life. Around Easter they will change again.”

The community forum was organised by 350.org Australia, the Australian Conservation Foundation and the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change.

It drew a crowd of 145 locals and featured Gilmore candidates including Fiona Phillips MP, Andrew Constance, Kate Dezarnaulds and Debbie Killian.

While Ms Gash criticised the lack of the national flag, Reverend Merrifield clarified the church would have displayed one respectfully if requested. “We just do not own one.”