Flags and national symbols

Australia is both a country, the sixth largest in the world, the smallest continent and the largest island in the world. Australia`s first federal flag was chosen from a national flag competition held in 1901. Initially started by a magazine, the Federal Government extended the competition and increased the prize. The competition attracted 32823 entries. It wasn`t until the Flags Act 1953 was passed by the Australian Government that Australia finally had an official national flag. The Flags Act was assented to by Queen Elizabeth II on her first visit to Australia on April 15, 1954, the first Act of the Australian Parliament to receive assent by the Monarch rather than the Governor General. Finally more than 53 years after the first design was hoisted, Australia had an official national flag.

However in recent years there has been increasing debate about whether a new flag should be introduced, both by Republican and Nationalist groups. Many see the current British ensign-based design as inappropriate in an increasingly multicultural country that has been progressively weakening its relations with Britain since 1901. It may be argued that the Aboriginal flag is the strongest contender for change. The Aboriginal flag is increasingly being flown by both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. In view of increasing importance in Australian society the Government initiated steps in 1994 to give the flag legal recognition. After a period of public consultation the Government made its own decision in July 1995 that the flag should be proclaimed a “Flag of Australia”. The flag was so proclaimed by the Governor General of Australia in 1995.

The Aboriginal Flag was designed by Harold Thomas, an artist and Aboriginal in 1971. The flag was designed to be an eye-catching rallying symbol for the Aboriginal people and a symbol of their race and identity. The black colour represents the Aboriginal people, the red represents the earth and their spiritual relationship to the land and the yellow the sun, the giver of life.

In the late 1960-s Aborigines stepped up their campaign for indigenous land rights through protest marches, demonstrations, banners and posters. The protests increased in the early 1970-s and Harold Thomas noticed they were often outnumbered by non-Aborigines with their banners and placards. He decided they needed to be more visible and the idea of the flag was born. The Aboriginal flag was first raised in Victoria Square in Adelaide on National Aboriginal Day in 1971, but was adopted nationally by Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders in 1972 after it was flown above the Aboriginal “Tent Embassy” outside of the old Parliament House in Canberra. The Australian Coat of Arms features a kangaroo and an emu, supporting a shield showing the symbol of each State.