I am pleased that the Senate today passed the Flags Amendment Bill
through its remaining parliamentary stages.
The Bill amends the Flags Act 1953 to ensure that the National
Flag can only be changed if the electorate approves an alternative
design. The legislation provides that the existing National Flag shall
always be one of the choices offered at a national vote.
This fulfils another government commitment. This ensures that the
people are consulted about their National Flag which is our oldest
national symbol.
There was strong support for the principle that the design of the
National Flag should be changed only by a majority of voters in a
national vote at the recent Constitutional Convention.
All Australians can now be assured that the design of the National
Flag - their Flag - is a matter for them and not for politicians or
pressure groups.