Flags Act 1953 Act No. 1 of 1954 as amended This compilation was prepared on 11 July 2008 taking into account amendments up to Act No. 73 of 2008 The text of any of those amendments not in force on that date is appended in the Notes section The operation of amendments that have been incorporated may be affected by application provisions that are set out in the Notes section Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing, Attorney‑General's Department, Canberra Contents 1 Short title [see Note 1] 2 Extension to Territories 3 The Australian National Flag 4 The Australian Red Ensign 5 Other flags 6 Warrants to use flags 7 Rules as to use of flags 8 Flying of Union Jack Schedule 1—The Australian National Flag and the Australian Red Ensign Schedule 2—Flags Notes An Act to declare a certain Flag to be the Australian National Flag and to make other provision with respect to Flags 1 Short title [see Note 1] This Act may be cited as the Flags Act 1953. 2 Extension to Territories This Act extends to all the Territories. 3 The Australian National Flag (1) The blue flag described in Schedule 1, being the flag a reproduction of which is set out in Part I of Schedule 2, is declared to be the Australian National Flag. (2) The blue flag referred to in subsection (1) ceases to be the Australian National Flag if, and only if: (a) a new flag or flags, and the flag referred to in subsection (1), are submitted in each State and Territory to the electors qualified to vote for the election of members of the House of Representatives; and (b) the new flag, or one of the new flags, is chosen by a majority of all the electors voting. (3) The form and manner in which a proposal for a new Australian National Flag is submitted to electors, and the manner in which a vote on the proposal is taken (which may include the adoption of a form of preferential voting for choosing among 3 or more flags), and arrangements for adopting a new flag as the Australian National Flag if chosen as mentioned in subsection (2), are to be as the Parliament prescribes. (4) In this section: Territory means any Territory referred to in section 122 of the Constitution in respect of which there is in force a law allowing its representation in the House of Representatives. 4 The Australian Red Ensign The red flag described in Schedule 1, being the flag a reproduction of which is set out in Part II of Schedule 2, shall be known as the Australian Red Ensign. 5 Other flags The Governor‑General may, by Proclamation, appoint such other flags and ensigns of Australia as he or she thinks fit. 6 Warrants to use flags The Governor‑General may, by warrant, authorize a person, body or authority to use a flag or ensign referred to in, or appointed under, this Act, either without defacement or defaced in the manner specified in the warrant. 7 Rules as to use of flags The Governor‑General may make, and cause to be published, rules for the guidance of persons in connexion with the flying or use of flags or ensigns referred to in, or appointed under, this Act. 8 Flying of Union Jack This Act does not affect the right or privilege of a person to fly the Union Jack. Schedule 1—The Australian National Flag and the Australian Red Ensign Sections 3 and 4 1. The Australian National Flag is a blue flag, and the Australian Red Ensign is a red flag, the design of each of which is specified in clause 1A. 1A. Each of the flags referred to in clause 1 has: (a) the Union Jack occupying the upper quarter next the staff; (b) a large white star (representing the 6 States of Australia and the Territories) in the centre of the lower quarter next the staff and pointing direct to the centre of St George's Cross in the Union Jack, as specified in Table A; and (c) 5 white stars (representing the Southern Cross) in the half of the flag further from the staff, as specified in Table B. Table A—Commonwealth Star Position of Centre Outer Diameter Inner Diameter Number of Points On middle line (parallel with the hoist edge of flag) of Union Jack (produced), one‑quarter width of flag from bottom edge of flag Three‑tenths of width of flag Four‑ninths of outer diameter Seven Table B—Stars of the Southern Cross Position of Centre Outer Diameter Inner Diameter Number Name The fractions are fractions of In fractions of outer diameter of width of flag Points Alpha Crucis On middle line, one‑sixth from bottom edge One‑seventh Four‑ninths Seven Beta Crucis One‑quarter from middle line, at right angles on left to a point on middle line one‑sixteenth above centre of fly One‑seventh Four‑ninths Seven Gamma Crucis On middle line one‑sixth from top edge One‑seventh Four‑ninths Seven Delta Crucis Two‑ninths from middle line at right angles on right to a point one‑fifteenth above a point on middle line one‑sixteenth above centre of fly One‑seventh Four‑ninths Seven Epsilon Crucis One‑tenth from middle line at right angles on right to a point on middle line one twenty‑fourth below centre of fly One‑twelfth Four‑ninths Five 2. In Table A and Table B, "width of flag" means the measurement of the hoist edge of the flag. 3. In Table B, "middle line" means a straight line, parallel with the hoist edge of the flag, and dividing the fly into two equal parts. Schedule 2—Flags Sections 3 and 4 Part I AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL FLAG Part II AUSTRALIAN RED ENSIGN Notes to the Flags Act 1953 Note 1 The Flags Act 1953 as shown in this compilation comprises Act No. 1, 1954 amended as indicated in the Tables below. Table of Acts Act Number Date Date of commencement Application, saving or transitional provisions and year of Assent Flags Act 1953 1, 1954 14 Feb 1954 14 Apr 1954 (a) Flags Act 1954 58, 1954 6 Nov 1954 14 Apr 1954 — Statute Law Revision Act 1973 216, 1973 19 Dec 1973 31 Dec 1973 Ss. 9(1) and 10 Flags Amendment Act 1981 9, 1981 25 Mar 1981 26 Jan 1982 (see s. 2 and Gazette 1981, No. G51, — p. 2) Flags Amendment Act 1998 2, 1998 24 Mar 1998 24 Mar 1998 — Statute Law Revision Act 2008 73, 2008 3 July 2008 Schedule 4 (item 294): 4 July 2008 — (a) This Act was reserved for Her Majesty's pleasure on 12 December 1953, the Queen's Assent was given on 14 February 1954 and was made known to each House of the Parliament on 15 February 1954. By a Proclamation dated 8 April 1954, the Queen's Assent was proclaimed in the Gazette on 14 April 1954 (see Gazette 1954, p. 1179). Table of Amendments ad. = added or inserted am. = amended rep. = repealed rs. = repealed and substituted Provision affected How affected S. 2.................... am. No. 216, 1973 S. 3.................... rs. No. 9, 1981 am. No. 2, 1998 S. 4.................... rs. No. 9, 1981 S. 5.................... am. No. 73, 2008 S. 7.................... am. No. 216, 1973 Heading to the Schedules.... rep. No. 9, 1981 Heading to First Schedule.... rep. No. 9, 1981 First Schedule............ am. No. 58, 1954; No. 216, 1973 Heading to Schedule 1 ...... ad. No. 9, 1981 Schedule 1............... am. No. 9, 1981 Heading to Second Schedule.. rep. No. 9, 1981 Heading to Schedule 2 ...... ad. No. 9, 1981