1953 – 2 Dec: Flags Act 1953
The Australian Parliament unanimously passed the Australian Flags Act 1953 confirming the status of our flag as the chief national symbol and formally describing and naming the design as the AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL FLAG.
The Flags Bill was personally signed into law by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 14 Feb 1954 during our monarch’s first Royal Tour.
1996 – Australian National Flag Day Proclaimed
The Governor-General of Australia, Sir William Deane proclaimed Australian National Flag Day, 3 September annually, commemorating the day in 1901 when our flag of ‘Stars and Crosses’ was first flown:
“I, William Patrick Deane, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, declare that, to commemorate the day in 1901 on which the Australian National Flag was first flown, 3 September in each year shall be observed as “Australian National Flag Day” throughout Australia and the external Territories of Australia”.
Proclaimed by the Governor-General in 2008, 3 September annually is also Merchant Navy Day, commemorating those who served in war and peace in the Merchant Navy serving under the Australian Red Ensign. It is a remarkable co-incidence that the Australian Red Ensign was chosen with the Australian National Flag on 3 September 1901, 107 years earlier.
A private display of the Red Ensign and Australian National Flag flying on 3 September, Australian National Flag Day and Australian Merchant Navy Day.
The Australian National Flag and Australian Red Ensign flying on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge on 3 Sep acknowledging the service and sacrifice of our Merchant Navy mariners and the anniversary of the people’s choice in 1901 of Australia’s chief national symbol.
The Flag Day logo
1998 – 24 Mar: Flags Amendment Bill
By vote of the members of federal Parliament, the Flags Amendment Bill became law.
It amended the Flags Act 1953 to ensure that the Australian National Flag can only be changed with the agreement of the Australian People.
Our national flag was democratically chosen by the people for the people in 1901. The design belongs to all Australians equally and is shared with government.