I find the topic of flag reform, for either the national flag or state flags to be a great civcs debate topic for students and visitors - everyone has an opinion and it can lead to great discussions on Australia's symbols, history and the future, national identity, etc.
Flags can be quite a contentious subject for some people. I sometimes hear people say 'leave our flag alone. Our diggers fought and died under that flag'. They didn't all fight under the current national flag of course, but that's what many people believe.
Interesting history lesson. Of course what Mr Dutton is saying isn't that other flags existing is devisive and the border force flag is just the national flag with border force written over it. He's saying that aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders aren't separate. They aren't different. They're Australians same as the rest of us and should stand under the same banner nationally. That doesn't mean their flags can't be respected, anymore than state flags. It just means when the rubber meets the road we're aussies and should all be treated as such equally regardless of ethnicity, religion or beliefs. He's not coming up with that on his own. He never does. He knows there's a lot of anger in the community because of albo standing in front of flags other than the Australian one because rightly or wrongly its taken as a statement of nationhood for aboriginals separate from Australia. Many aboriginals are upset about that, so are many non-aboriginals. Just as there is a lot of anger over land rights issue.
@tjmarx so you wouldn't have a problem with removing the Union Jack from the corner then? That is a flag of a completely separate country and it is on our flag. But I suppose your knickers aren't twisted about that.
I believe that Spud makes a solid argument and one that the majority of Australians would more or less agree with, especially after the divisive Voice referendum that Albo put us all through recently.
It is so humorous to read people arguing over the design of flags. Additionally you make it very entertaining to listen about the flags of this country. Your videos are amazing please keep making more.
As a N.S.W. primary school teacher I had to be aware of the protocols for every day & special events from raising & lowering, what "half mast" actually meant, precedence, flying at night only if illuminated etc. and pass that info onto & train the students who performed those tasks. We had the national flag flying on the flagpole from 8.30am until 2.50pm & well as permanently on display, with the Aboriginal flag to the right, above the stage in the G.F.C. hall. The provision of a flag was via the local federal member as was a small grant for guaranteeing to follow protocol. This excellent video would be very handy for those who fetishize "the flag" as "what we fought for" to begin to understand what, if anything, bounced in the breeze while they were being blasted.
It's interesting how the investigating the simple basics of something like a free nation's flag can have a profound effect on uncovering a healthy outlook or the freedoms and practices of a nation's values
As a matter of trivia Bolivia amended its constitution to recognise the flag representing its indigenous peoples as a national flag, giving it 3 national flags. It's somewhat frustrating that leading politicians don't bother to do basic fact checking. Almost as if facts don't matter.
OK, just as well Prof Twomey didn't ever serve in the ADF. She would have been in big trouble. 😯 Actually, I didn't even know it was supposed to be pronounced 'enson' despite once being married to a navy man.
The reason politicians stand in front of the flag is to show that they are patriotic. In the UK, Labour have been called out many times for not being patriotic because they don't pose with the Union Flag. Wherever, Conservatives regularly pose with the Union Flag, as they are *the* party of the Union - it's in their full name, after all - Conservative and *Unionist* Party.
Which Australian flags are displayed at the UN? Which Australian flags are displayed at meetings with overseas Government leaders eg the US President and the Australian Prime Minister?
Another great video Anne - thank you! I especially loved the mention of the Australian Border Force flag!! I was waiting to see the "other" territories' flags get a mention though - Norfolk Island, Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Of some note (for some!), Jervis Bay Territory is the only Australian territory with a permanent population that lacks its own territory flag. :)
I just noticed your intro mentions that you are a professor emerita rather than emeritus. I studied Latin in years 7-10 back in the 80s in what was probably one of the last handful of public high schools that offered it. It's a personal pronoun I can unambiguously and joyfully get behind. Publicly, I am fine with They/Them because people who use them are having a tough life but privately the plural as singular is quite grating.
Curious to know what ‘administrative oversight’ caused the original proclamation of the Torres Strait Islander flag to expire on 1 January 2008, requiring a new proclamation. (I believe this also occurred in relation to the Aboriginal flag).
As always, Professor Twomey, a very insightful program. Perhaps you would consider doing a video on the case of Dan Duggan, an Australian Citizen incarcerated for two years without charge. An Australian pending extradition for an Act which is not a crime in Australia, thereby negating the requirement for dual criminality?
@@COLINJELY bro you go to somebody else's country you have to roll with there law's if you start squealing it is always a sign of guilt being in some foreign jail is not fun it's just how it is my brother did two years in a jail in Corsica for just sitting beside someone that had a gun on them you can't sequel to some lawyer or embassy you will just have your money taken and look like a total goose find out who you have to pay to get out or better still you just ask what it will cost to get you out
The blue in the flag is from the background of The Saltire, the most ancient continuously used sovereign flag in the world. When I see it, I feel safe and grateful to my ancestors. We will not give it up without losing a war.
1!! And we all need to become very loud and make that absolutely clear to the fools who are running this country and are destroying everything that made us the Aussies we are and the country the place we all felt bonded to and loyalty for!!!
I totally agree. We do need one flag. It must be a flag that can represent all Australians and not over represent the colonising, invading power as reflected in the current model.
@@Rickxta Do you think the Gadubunud tribe that once inhabited the Otway Ranges south of Lorne were concerned about colonialism when the Wathaurong tribe to the north and east set their land ablaze, causing a catastrophic bushfire, with the express purpose of extermination, after centuries of inter-tribal warfare? If we’re going to pursue “truth telling” let’s tell the truth, the WHOLE truth and nothing but the truth. That includes the brutality of the pre-colonial existence of the Australian aboriginal people, which included normalised documented infanticide and cannibalism.
Surely we’re grown up enough to be inclusive, grow our diversity, benefit from the contributions of all of our diverse experiences, perspectives and talents, and honour all of us for our constructive participation in this land, originally home to 300 odd First Nations, now home to peoples from around the world and possibly more successful than anywhere (Canada may be the exception) at including all, by flying a flag that represents Australia, as well as flags that honour our multitudinous cultures and subcultures! In other words, surely we can walk and chew gum simultaneously. For the random bunnies who feel rabid anger and insult at the notion that we can fly flags other than a union jack on a blue sky with a constellation shared by NZ, and who interpret this as treachery, I would suggest they consider the freedoms we luxuriate in that come from fighting for freedom of expression l often against the Brits, but also against many other fanatics, dictators and even against our own brutal bigots. If people wish to fly flags other than the popular Australian flag, good! It shows inclusion and that’s all. Surely the semiology units offered at our many universities need to be populated by most of the more fervently vociferous among us who would shout down inclusivity, before publicly accusing everyone else of being a traitor…
That is a cost saving we can make - while we have flags, we don't need to use them or flagpoles. The great idiotic cost cutter, Elon Musk, follows the same rules for flags on his factories.
Thanks for another informative video, Professor Twomey. While I do think Mr Dutton has a point, I agree with you on the use of flags for announcements and press conferences in general. It's far from necessary and does seem as though it comes from a place of insecurity. I was interested to learn from you that the Flags Amendment Act 1998 cannot actually stop the national flag from being replaced without a green light from the electorate. I'd previously pondered the fairly absurd possibility of a future Australian republic choosing, perhaps for sentimental reasons, to retain a flag that screams Britain so loudly. Knowing now that the Flags Amendment Act doesn't carry that sort of weight, I can stop pondering that one. Happy Christmas.
So if Peter Dutton is going to impose his own flag on everybody, what is the procedure for removing that symbol of colonial oppression from the place of honour in the top left corner?
This controversy has only come about because Dutton is one of the most divisive politicians when he does not get enough of the limelight to further his agenda…all states and the NT have a flag, public holiday, a floral emblem, a coat of arms..just like the whole of Australia..and a lot of government buildings fly both the Australian and State/Territory flag. We are One Nation..but we are a multicultural nation and IMO it is up to the public who should decide what other flag is appropriate to display with the Australian flag not just one single individual even if they are the PM.
@@ricochet2977Let me break it down for you..what part are you having trouble separating my comment about the fact states/territory have their own flags etc…that is obviously a state decision to fly both…did I mention the state/territory flag be flown with the Australian flag by the PM…NO I did not…I clearly stated it should be up to the people to decide what other flag/s should be flown with the Australian flag not the PM…is it the part where you are changing my narrative to suit you..or are you trying to be divisive too….because you a Dutton supporter?
As an Australian of Irish descent I cannot respect or honor the union jack, with its blatant oppression of the flags of St Andrew and St Patrick. For me it is Eureka every time.
Wales is not represented on the Union Jack because the flag was created in 1606, the Principality of Wales by that time was already united with England and was no longer a separate principality, and as for NI they are part of the United Kingdom and not an individual country.
@@kathyjova98 No. It was an Act of Parliament that made the Blue Ensign the national flag i.e. The Flags Act 1953. Not that a referendum would have been needed. There is no mention of flags in the Constitution.
@@kathyjova98 'Historically, the Red Ensign was used by civilians on land and was taken onto battlefields by soldiers. Confusion over the use of the flags was resolved with the Flags Act 1953, which proclaimed the Blue Ensign as the Australian National Flag.' I got that quote from Department of Veterans Affairs ANZAC portal.
Nope, the red ensign was was replaced by the whim of a politician and their where 2 red ensigns, the Land flag and the merchant flag, I've got all 3 and they are all different @@kathyjova98
I thought the queen renamed it to act No 1 of 1954. I also thought it wasn't the Australian national flag but the British blue ensign. An amendment around 1992 (I forget) clarified (a word to fix not naming it correctly originally) to name it the Australian national flag.
There was an amendment to the Flags Act in 1996: 'To amend the Flags Act 1953 (Cwlth) by providing that the present Australian National Flag can only be replaced if a majority of State and Territory electors qualified to vote for the House of Representatives agree.' As for the Queen's involvement: 'The Menzies government invited the Queen to sign the act to validate the transition from the Union Jack to the Australian national flag when she visited Australia in 1954. The act was one of the few Commonwealth bills to be signed by the monarch, rather than the Governor-General.' As Prof Twomey pointed out, getting the Queen to personally give royal assent was to silence anyone who though it was 'disloyal' to replace the Union Jack with the Blue Ensign as our national flag.
@@GregMcCall OK, look up the history of the Australian Flags Act 1953. I can only see one amendment in 1996. If you can find evidence of other amendments, then I stand corrected. But I do know that the Blue Ensign became our official national flag in 1953. It didn't need a later amendment to make it so.
What a crock..we might be One Nation..but we are a multi cultural nation and every state and the NT have their own flag, a public holiday, and a floral emblem…just like the whole of Australia has..that should be one of the flags used besides the Australian flag depending which state to be flown on all government buildings, police stations and civil buildings as well…and this is actually something some states and the NT do anyway. This is just a controversy that Dutton has decided to get attention with again because he is one of the most divisive politicians when he is not getting enough limelight to further his agenda.
Doesn't matter what flag they stand in front of, what they need to worry about is their quality of public service, I think flag pride is a thing of the past.
Yet it keeps coming up when someone wants to wave the national credentials. Tony and his how many flags can you place behind you, anything less is unAustralian. It got to the point even the media was asking the question. Dutton's step into it, is just a long line of leaders waving the flag.
Silly question really. In our flag it represents the irrevocable British foundation of the Australian nation, its Westminster system of parliament. Why obsess over changing something that’s worked very well for 124 years and counting? We’re one of the few developed countries in the world that hasn’t had a civil war or violent revolution. Change the flag and the constitution and you may provoke one.
@@wattlebough You don't seriously think that removing the Union Jack from the corner of our national flag would provoke a civil war, do you? I'm also puzzled as to why you think removing the Union Jack from our national flag would affect our Westminster parliamentary system. Canada is a stable, successful nation. Having their own distinct flag did not cause a civil war - or cause them to abandon their Westminster parliamentary system.
It had me wondering if I’m using a legitimate pronunciation, or if I've just been watching too much _Star Trek_, where they use the /ˈɛnsən/ pronunciation regularly.
There are two pronunciations of "ensign", just as there are two pronunciations of "lead" and "read", indicating different usage. Ensign (rhymed with "when mine") means a kind of flag. Ensign (rhymed with "Benson") means a junior military rank.
Ok I will be asserting my entitlement upon you I am the new flag design guy it will be something very cool with Ayers Rock in the middle some houses fighting in front of a centre link some kangaroo's with rugby gersys tackling a kiwi and a lion while cooking a springbok for a Swagman with some eshays a poker machine a Mack Superliner me jumping a brumby over a prawn trawler and brophys boxing tent and and the lads from bush mechanics on the way to the party with the Swagman oh yes mad Max flying a quantas jet and some beer can's maybe a mud crab on the reverse side we can have a message that we are taking no refugees and to just behave love the Mrs and kids Work hard and be Australian at all times no wan...s and have at least two barbecues a week own a dog have a football team and park the car off the street when cricket is being played and remember as long as everything in Australia is ok it's all ok learn more about my political policies and how we can do load of good thing and have a great time
@@Noelzsazsa No, I'm a 6th generation Australian. My first ancestor to come to Australia served in the British Army. He came here in 1810 to work for the newly appointed governor of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie.
Excellent video. I've added it to the article on the website. I recommend "Finding the Flag’s History Mediating the Maze of Misinformation and Mythmaking" by Historian Dr Elizabeth Kwan, and "Filibuster: The Century-long Australian Flag Debate" by Ralph Kelly.
This whole flag thing reminds me when Tony Abbott just kept on putting more flags at press conferences, i think it got up to 10.
Remember folks it's a fine line between governing and dictating.
You decide 🇦🇺 Australia.
I find the topic of flag reform, for either the national flag or state flags to be a great civcs debate topic for students and visitors - everyone has an opinion and it can lead to great discussions on Australia's symbols, history and the future, national identity, etc.
Flags can be quite a contentious subject for some people. I sometimes hear people say 'leave our flag alone. Our diggers fought and died under that flag'. They didn't all fight under the current national flag of course, but that's what many people believe.
Interesting history lesson. Of course what Mr Dutton is saying isn't that other flags existing is devisive and the border force flag is just the national flag with border force written over it. He's saying that aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders aren't separate. They aren't different. They're Australians same as the rest of us and should stand under the same banner nationally. That doesn't mean their flags can't be respected, anymore than state flags. It just means when the rubber meets the road we're aussies and should all be treated as such equally regardless of ethnicity, religion or beliefs.
He's not coming up with that on his own. He never does. He knows there's a lot of anger in the community because of albo standing in front of flags other than the Australian one because rightly or wrongly its taken as a statement of nationhood for aboriginals separate from Australia. Many aboriginals are upset about that, so are many non-aboriginals. Just as there is a lot of anger over land rights issue.
@tjmarx so you wouldn't have a problem with removing the Union Jack from the corner then?
That is a flag of a completely separate country and it is on our flag. But I suppose your knickers aren't twisted about that.
@@tjmarx the anger you speak of was placed into the conversation by Murdoch. The media arm of the liberal party.
Twomey posts, I watch.
It ironic that the people who dragged their feet in fully adopting the current flag are now the ones claiming it’s the only one that should be used.
I believe that Spud makes a solid argument and one that the majority of Australians would more or less agree with, especially after the divisive Voice referendum that Albo put us all through recently.
It is so humorous to read people arguing over the design of flags. Additionally you make it very entertaining to listen about the flags of this country. Your videos are amazing please keep making more.
As a N.S.W. primary school teacher I had to be aware of the protocols for every day & special events from raising & lowering, what "half mast" actually meant, precedence, flying at night only if illuminated etc. and pass that info onto & train the students who performed those tasks. We had the national flag flying on the flagpole from 8.30am until 2.50pm & well as permanently on display, with the Aboriginal flag to the right, above the stage in the G.F.C. hall. The provision of a flag was via the local federal member as was a small grant for guaranteeing to follow protocol. This excellent video would be very handy for those who fetishize "the flag" as "what we fought for" to begin to understand what, if anything, bounced in the breeze while they were being blasted.
Shock horror and great disappointment that all Australians are not United by one 🇦🇺 national flag.
So much for nationhood buildings LOL 😂
As a nation, we’re not even United under one football code.. 😂
Thank You, Anne. Most interesting and have a Happy Christmas cheers Steven QLD
I shall flag this for further reference ,pun firmly intended...
It's interesting how the investigating the simple basics of something like a free nation's flag can have a profound effect on uncovering a healthy outlook or the freedoms and practices of a nation's values
As a matter of trivia Bolivia amended its constitution to recognise the flag representing its indigenous peoples as a national flag, giving it 3 national flags. It's somewhat frustrating that leading politicians don't bother to do basic fact checking. Almost as if facts don't matter.
ENSIGN is pronounced as EN SON
OK, just as well Prof Twomey didn't ever serve in the ADF. She would have been in big trouble. 😯 Actually, I didn't even know it was supposed to be pronounced 'enson' despite once being married to a navy man.
That's the American pronunciation
So we basically used a knockoff Victorian ensign as the national flag. 😅
You can call it a knock-off, while others could point to its historical origins and its winning the national competition.
Officially it is described as 'a defaced British Blue Ensign'.
The Victorian ensign has changed repeatedly too. Melbourne was the Australian capital until the 1920’s…
@@allangibson8494& Before Melbourne
apparently Williamstown was intended to be the Capital of Victoria.
I love your work 🙏
The reason politicians stand in front of the flag is to show that they are patriotic.
In the UK, Labour have been called out many times for not being patriotic because they don't pose with the Union Flag. Wherever, Conservatives regularly pose with the Union Flag, as they are *the* party of the Union - it's in their full name, after all - Conservative and *Unionist* Party.
Fun Fact :It was Obama who told Keir to start posing with the flag
Which Australian flags are displayed at the UN? Which Australian flags are displayed at meetings with overseas Government leaders eg the US President and the Australian Prime Minister?
If he sticks to it I’ll vote for him just for this
Don’t know why but look at the front cover
So when a politician has the flags out of order it is a sign of disrespect to all, past and present. Someone did this recently, who was it?
Another great video Anne - thank you! I especially loved the mention of the Australian Border Force flag!! I was waiting to see the "other" territories' flags get a mention though - Norfolk Island, Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Of some note (for some!), Jervis Bay Territory is the only Australian territory with a permanent population that lacks its own territory flag. :)
I just noticed your intro mentions that you are a professor emerita rather than emeritus. I studied Latin in years 7-10 back in the 80s in what was probably one of the last handful of public high schools that offered it. It's a personal pronoun I can unambiguously and joyfully get behind. Publicly, I am fine with They/Them because people who use them are having a tough life but privately the plural as singular is quite grating.
I don't think it's a plurality or nonbinary thing - emerita would be grammatically correct for a woman in general.
(You may be thinking of emiriti instead, that's the plural form.)
Curious to know what ‘administrative oversight’ caused the original proclamation of the Torres Strait Islander flag to expire on 1 January 2008, requiring a new proclamation. (I believe this also occurred in relation to the Aboriginal flag).
As always, Professor Twomey, a very insightful program. Perhaps you would consider doing a video on the case of Dan Duggan, an Australian Citizen incarcerated for two years without charge. An Australian pending extradition for an Act which is not a crime in Australia, thereby negating the requirement for dual criminality?
@@COLINJELY bro you go to somebody else's country you have to roll with there law's if you start squealing it is always a sign of guilt being in some foreign jail is not fun it's just how it is my brother did two years in a jail in Corsica for just sitting beside someone that had a gun on them you can't sequel to some lawyer or embassy you will just have your money taken and look like a total goose find out who you have to pay to get out or better still you just ask what it will cost to get you out
Lol. Once again manner and form previsions being passed without any constitutional basis.
If we have any questions, what is the best way to ask you?
The blue in the flag is from the background of The Saltire, the most ancient continuously used sovereign flag in the world. When I see it, I feel safe and grateful to my ancestors. We will not give it up without losing a war.
I think that traditionally
flying a flag downside up
infers distress.
It is odd that this is dillowed
or at least disapproved🙏
Thank you for clarifying this issue for me.
Perhaps at a future date - you might wish to cover the topic of 'prohibited flags'.
Are you referring to the Hezbollah flag? Or the swastika? Or something else?
@@Myrmecia Yes - both those flags as well as other flags ----- such as flags for resistance groups in Myanmar - India - etc
I may have misunderstood, but doesn't that Australian Border Force flag contravene the part about "defacing" the flag with writing? 🤔
No, the government did it so it’s okay, but you do it and you’ll get locked up…
Interestingly, Peter Dutton seems to be contemptuous of legislation passed by the Howard Government. (Can everyone hear the dogs barking?)
How many countries, sovereignties and flags do we want on this continent? Doesn’t unity mean one?
1!! And we all need to become very loud and make that absolutely clear to the fools who are running this country and are destroying everything that made us the Aussies we are and the country the place we all felt bonded to and loyalty for!!!
I totally agree. We do need one flag. It must be a flag that can represent all Australians and not over represent the colonising, invading power as reflected in the current model.
@@Rickxta Do you think the Gadubunud tribe that once inhabited the Otway Ranges south of Lorne were concerned about colonialism when the Wathaurong tribe to the north and east set their land ablaze, causing a catastrophic bushfire, with the express purpose of extermination, after centuries of inter-tribal warfare?
If we’re going to pursue “truth telling” let’s tell the truth, the WHOLE truth and nothing but the truth. That includes the brutality of the pre-colonial existence of the Australian aboriginal people, which included normalised documented infanticide and cannibalism.
Surely we’re grown up enough to be inclusive, grow our diversity, benefit from the contributions of all of our diverse experiences, perspectives and talents, and honour all of us for our constructive participation in this land, originally home to 300 odd First Nations, now home to peoples from around the world and possibly more successful than anywhere (Canada may be the exception) at including all, by flying a flag that represents Australia, as well as flags that honour our multitudinous cultures and subcultures! In other words, surely we can walk and chew gum simultaneously. For the random bunnies who feel rabid anger and insult at the notion that we can fly flags other than a union jack on a blue sky with a constellation shared by NZ, and who interpret this as treachery, I would suggest they consider the freedoms we luxuriate in that come from fighting for freedom of expression l often against the Brits, but also against many other fanatics, dictators and even against our own brutal bigots. If people wish to fly flags other than the popular Australian flag, good! It shows inclusion and that’s all. Surely the semiology units offered at our many universities need to be populated by most of the more fervently vociferous among us who would shout down inclusivity, before publicly accusing everyone else of being a traitor…
That is a cost saving we can make - while we have flags, we don't need to use them or flagpoles. The great idiotic cost cutter, Elon Musk, follows the same rules for flags on his factories.
Thanks for another informative video, Professor Twomey.
While I do think Mr Dutton has a point, I agree with you on the use of flags for announcements and press conferences in general. It's far from necessary and does seem as though it comes from a place of insecurity.
I was interested to learn from you that the Flags Amendment Act 1998 cannot actually stop the national flag from being replaced without a green light from the electorate. I'd previously pondered the fairly absurd possibility of a future Australian republic choosing, perhaps for sentimental reasons, to retain a flag that screams Britain so loudly. Knowing now that the Flags Amendment Act doesn't carry that sort of weight, I can stop pondering that one.
Happy Christmas.
thank you. this is wonderful. Could you please show/provide the talk-about flags. this would be so much more fun
How’s that ‘King of Australia’ going for ya’?!!
So if Peter Dutton is going to impose his own flag on everybody, what is the procedure for removing that symbol of colonial oppression from the place of honour in the top left corner?
This controversy has only come about because Dutton is one of the most divisive politicians when he does not get enough of the limelight to further his agenda…all states and the NT have a flag, public holiday, a floral emblem, a coat of arms..just like the whole of Australia..and a lot of government buildings fly both the Australian and State/Territory flag. We are One Nation..but we are a multicultural nation and IMO it is up to the public who should decide what other flag is appropriate to display with the Australian flag not just one single individual even if they are the PM.
In that case, the PM should have all the state and territory flags behind him as well, otherwise that could be considered divisive.
@@ricochet2977Let me break it down for you..what part are you having trouble separating my comment about the fact states/territory have their own flags etc…that is obviously a state decision to fly both…did I mention the state/territory flag be flown with the Australian flag by the PM…NO I did not…I clearly stated it should be up to the people to decide what other flag/s should be flown with the Australian flag not the PM…is it the part where you are changing my narrative to suit you..or are you trying to be divisive too….because you a Dutton supporter?
As an Australian of Irish descent I cannot respect or honor the union jack, with its blatant oppression of the flags of St Andrew and St Patrick. For me it is Eureka every time.
I love the Eureka flag.
Wales is not represented on the Union Jack because the flag was created in 1606, the Principality of Wales by that time was already united with England and was no longer a separate principality, and as for NI they are part of the United Kingdom and not an individual country.
When did the red flag stop being used and why?
@@mindi2050 Why was it replaced? Was a referendum held?
@@kathyjova98 it was never replaced, flying the red ennsen has other implications under commercial law. Duty and custom
@@kathyjova98 No. It was an Act of Parliament that made the Blue Ensign the national flag i.e. The Flags Act 1953. Not that a referendum would have been needed. There is no mention of flags in the Constitution.
@@kathyjova98 'Historically, the Red Ensign was used by civilians on land and was taken onto battlefields by soldiers. Confusion over the use of the flags was resolved with the Flags Act 1953, which proclaimed the Blue Ensign as the Australian National Flag.' I got that quote from Department of Veterans Affairs ANZAC portal.
Nope, the red ensign was was replaced by the whim of a politician and their where 2 red ensigns, the Land flag and the merchant flag, I've got all 3 and they are all different @@kathyjova98
The Union Jack is the flag of 4 countries, none of which are Australia.
Its great to show support for Indigenous Australians by flying their flags.
I thought the queen renamed it to act No 1 of 1954. I also thought it wasn't the Australian national flag but the British blue ensign. An amendment around 1992 (I forget) clarified (a word to fix not naming it correctly originally) to name it the Australian national flag.
There was an amendment to the Flags Act in 1996: 'To amend the Flags Act 1953 (Cwlth) by providing that the present Australian National Flag can only be replaced if a majority of State and Territory electors qualified to vote for the House of Representatives agree.'
As for the Queen's involvement: 'The Menzies government invited the Queen to sign the act to validate the transition from the Union Jack to the Australian national flag when she visited Australia in 1954. The act was one of the few Commonwealth bills to be signed by the monarch, rather than the Governor-General.' As Prof Twomey pointed out, getting the Queen to personally give royal assent was to silence anyone who though it was 'disloyal' to replace the Union Jack with the Blue Ensign as our national flag.
There has been other amendments and one to actually name the blue ensign as the Australian national flag. I thought early 90s
@@GregMcCall OK, look up the history of the Australian Flags Act 1953. I can only see one amendment in 1996. If you can find evidence of other amendments, then I stand corrected. But I do know that the Blue Ensign became our official national flag in 1953. It didn't need a later amendment to make it so.
One flag, One Nation,
all others should be removed from all government buildings, police stations and civic buildings!
period!
What a crock..we might be One Nation..but we are a multi cultural nation and every state and the NT have their own flag, a public holiday, and a floral emblem…just like the whole of Australia has..that should be one of the flags used besides the Australian flag depending which state to be flown on all government buildings, police stations and civil buildings as well…and this is actually something some states and the NT do anyway. This is just a controversy that Dutton has decided to get attention with again because he is one of the most divisive politicians when he is not getting enough limelight to further his agenda.
@@CatsandJPWhen were the Torres Strait Islands and Aboriginal flags first used beside the Commonwealth of Australia flag as a background?
A multi cultural nation unified under one flag.
Doesn't matter what flag they stand in front of, what they need to worry about is their quality of public service, I think flag pride is a thing of the past.
Yet it keeps coming up when someone wants to wave the national credentials. Tony and his how many flags can you place behind you, anything less is unAustralian. It got to the point even the media was asking the question. Dutton's step into it, is just a long line of leaders waving the flag.
I want to comment on this but it's too big a question. thanks for raising it. I am not a flag person
As a son of the ANZACS I completely disagree. I have great pride in our Red Ensign. Lest you Forgot?
A retentive memory is not necessarily a sign of intelligence, demonstrated so well with your glib dismissal of the SHB flag`s divisive effects!
How many other countries have the flag of a foreign power on their national flag?
Silly question really. In our flag it represents the irrevocable British foundation of the Australian nation, its Westminster system of parliament. Why obsess over changing something that’s worked very well for 124 years and counting? We’re one of the few developed countries in the world that hasn’t had a civil war or violent revolution. Change the flag and the constitution and you may provoke one.
About four.
Quite a few.
Even the state of Hawaii, and yet they don't seem too crass about it.
@@wattlebough You don't seriously think that removing the Union Jack from the corner of our national flag would provoke a civil war, do you? I'm also puzzled as to why you think removing the Union Jack from our national flag would affect our Westminster parliamentary system. Canada is a stable, successful nation. Having their own distinct flag did not cause a civil war - or cause them to abandon their Westminster parliamentary system.
Let’s have a referendum on adopting a green and gold flag!
Originally Australia's official colours were blue and gold. Check out early Olympic uniforms.
It's fascinating
just how lame and f*cked up
our laws etc are.
I really appreciate all of your insight
& your publications on UA-cam.
Thank You 🙏
I love Anne's mind... but the pronunciation of 'ensign' as N-Sine is triggering me.
I pronounce it Ennsen
It had me wondering if I’m using a legitimate pronunciation, or if I've just been watching too much _Star Trek_, where they use the /ˈɛnsən/ pronunciation regularly.
(Same with skedule)
There are two pronunciations of "ensign", just as there are two pronunciations of "lead" and "read", indicating different usage.
Ensign (rhymed with "when mine") means a kind of flag.
Ensign (rhymed with "Benson") means a junior military rank.
@Beeblebrox6868 after 20 years un the military, I've only ever heard the White and RAAF Ensigns pronounced Ennsen.
WRONG!!!
Federation Day is the 1st of January everyone. With our Federal R E D Ensign
Ok I will be asserting my entitlement upon you I am the new flag design guy it will be something very cool with Ayers Rock in the middle some houses fighting in front of a centre link some kangaroo's with rugby gersys tackling a kiwi and a lion while cooking a springbok for a Swagman with some eshays a poker machine a Mack Superliner me jumping a brumby over a prawn trawler and brophys boxing tent and and the lads from bush mechanics on the way to the party with the Swagman oh yes mad Max flying a quantas jet and some beer can's maybe a mud crab on the reverse side we can have a message that we are taking no refugees and to just behave love the Mrs and kids Work hard and be Australian at all times no wan...s and have at least two barbecues a week own a dog have a football team and park the car off the street when cricket is being played and remember as long as everything in Australia is ok it's all ok learn more about my political policies and how we can do load of good thing and have a great time
No thanks. Let's just remove the bit in the top left-hand corner of our national flag.
@mindi2050 I am guessing you are a first generation Australian or a migrant am I right?
@@Noelzsazsa No, I'm a 6th generation Australian. My first ancestor to come to Australia served in the British Army. He came here in 1810 to work for the newly appointed governor of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie.
Excellent video. I've added it to the article on the website. I recommend "Finding the Flag’s History Mediating the Maze of Misinformation and Mythmaking" by Historian Dr Elizabeth Kwan, and "Filibuster: The Century-long Australian Flag Debate" by Ralph Kelly.