Aboriginal flag (Left) and Torres Strait Islanders flag (Right).
Why change the flag?
Our flag made sense from 1901-1986 when we were still under the legislative dominion of the UK. However, since the Australia Act of 1986, we have had a flag that is representative of a British colony rather than the sovereign, independent nation Australia is today.
The canton (upper-left corner of a flag) is the most visible part of a flag, often referred to as "the place of honour". If another country's flag is in that position it has throughout heraldic and vexillological tradition represented subservience towards that country. Consequently, when others see our flag flying, the most visible part is the flag of the UK, which from an international perspective makes us look as if we're still British.
Indeed, the British have contributed greatly to the formation of Australia, and all the various cultures from the British Isles remain in Australia to this day. However, there is no need to retain their flag in the corner of ours. Just like Canada, we can remain in the Commonwealth of Nations but adopt a new flag which truly represents us.
Where's the Aboriginal symbolism?
The Golden Commonwealth does not single out any ethnic groups otherwise it would make the same mistake as our current flag. Also, both the Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders have their own flags which are recognised as official flags alongside our current flag. Only our national flag needs to change.
Why have you used our tacky sporting colours?
Green and gold are not our sporting colours. Yes, they are used in sport, but that is because they represent us nationally. They are national colours officially proclaimed by Sir Stephen Ninian on 19 April 1984.
Also, they are not by any means tacky. They are a traditional colour combination derived from heraldry (which is vexillology's forefather). Green is a heraldic colour, and gold is a heraldic metal, meaning it contrasts just as well as a combination like red and white (see the image below). It's also worth mentioning that green and gold look far better in fabric that they do on a computer screen, because computer screens are saturated (bright).
Our flag made sense from 1901-1986 when we were still under the legislative dominion of the UK. However, since the Australia Act of 1986, we have had a flag that is representative of a British colony rather than the sovereign, independent nation Australia is today.
The canton (upper-left corner of a flag) is the most visible part of a flag, often referred to as "the place of honour". If another country's flag is in that position it has throughout heraldic and vexillological tradition represented subservience towards that country. Consequently, when others see our flag flying, the most visible part is the flag of the UK, which from an international perspective makes us look as if we're still British.
Indeed, the British have contributed greatly to the formation of Australia, and all the various cultures from the British Isles remain in Australia to this day. However, there is no need to retain their flag in the corner of ours. Just like Canada, we can remain in the Commonwealth of Nations but adopt a new flag which truly represents us.
Where's the Aboriginal symbolism?
The Golden Commonwealth does not single out any ethnic groups otherwise it would make the same mistake as our current flag. Also, both the Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders have their own flags which are recognised as official flags alongside our current flag. Only our national flag needs to change.
Why have you used our tacky sporting colours?
Green and gold are not our sporting colours. Yes, they are used in sport, but that is because they represent us nationally. They are national colours officially proclaimed by Sir Stephen Ninian on 19 April 1984.
Also, they are not by any means tacky. They are a traditional colour combination derived from heraldry (which is vexillology's forefather). Green is a heraldic colour, and gold is a heraldic metal, meaning it contrasts just as well as a combination like red and white (see the image below). It's also worth mentioning that green and gold look far better in fabric that they do on a computer screen, because computer screens are saturated (bright).
Heraldic metals and colours.