The first flag flown in Australia stirred up a bit of controversy, as it still does today. Currently, Australians are questioning if the country should adopt a new banner, as some see today’s flag as an inappropriate representation of the country – a country that has grown more and more multicultural. As a result, the current Australian flag is not considered to be entirely representative of Australia’s more independent status.
Despite stipulations in the Flags Act in 1953, the Australian flag was flown in an inferior versus a superior position to the Union flag for quite a time thereafter. At that point, many of the people in the country thought of themselves as Britons, however, that sentiment has changed as the country has been impacted by globalisation and the worldwide economy.
Why the Flag’s Design Should Not Be Altered
From the time it was added in 1908, the seventh point displayed on the Commonwealth Star has been considered a representation of the people in the country who do not reside in one of Australia’s founding states. So, it stands to reason, if Australia ever adopts a new state – in this case, the Northern Territory – it would not make sense to alter the flag’s design.
A Cost-Prohibitive Action
Changing the flag would be costly, or at least that is the logic of the Flag Association President, Allan Pidgeon, who feels that the current design should remain. His reasoning is practical, as it would cost a large amount of money to alter the country’s banner, regardless of the reason. Whether people feel that the design should be revised because of the country’s more independent status or because of the adoption of a new state, the action would be cost-prohibitive.
Maintaining the Memory of the Original Design
Australians regularly celebrate Australian National Flag Day each year – a commemorative event that solidifies the fact that the pattern of the flag is still well-revered. That day – which happens on the third of September – annually memorializes the day that the flag was first flown.
The historical design elements of today’s flag do not necessitate any sort of change. Plus, you have to regard the historical significance of the current design. The country’s flag was the first national banner in the world to be chosen through a public competition.
A National Legacy
As a result of the competition, five designers were named – each of which paid homage to Australia’s illustrious past. When the design was unveiled on 3 September 1901, it solidified what many Australians now see as a legacy, if not an inheritance.
Since that time, Australia has acquired the Territory of Papua, which caused officials to alter the Commonwealth Star and add a point. However, the territory is no longer a part of Commonwealth, and several territories now exist that have not led to a flag change.
So, a change is really not in order. By altering the flag’s appearance, designers would also have to look at changing the national coat of arms as well the Defence Force Badge. That change would be synchronous for other items as well – including the arms that are displayed on Australia’s 50 cents coinage.
