Australian Flag Question?

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Suzieq

Im sorry tentofield but you are completely incorrect.

The proper protocol in relation to the raising of the Australian National Flag (ANF) is that if it touches the ground it should actually be burned./destroyed. Obviously that doesnt happen. It should just be prevented.

It should be flown aloft at the highest position. No other national flag should be flown higher than it.

The only reason you would take the flag down when it is raining is so it doesnt get wet. However this doesnt happen either. The bunting should not be folded wet either.

Also the flag should never be draped over anything, except for a coffin, nor should it be hung from its bredth.

It should be raised at 8am (colours) and lowered at sunset to the Australian National Anthem (doesnt always happen either)

Kella G

Here is the protocol for flying the Aussie flag.
http://www.australianflag.org.au/protocol.php
or
http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/symbols/flag.cfm

Leaving the flag out in the rain doesn't seem to be mentioned.

They fly flags in Melbourne, after all :-)

Just to add - military protocol is slightly different (and stricter) to civilian, especially relating to raising and lowering, but both stress honour and respect for the flag.

When flags (both US & Australian) were burned during the Vietnam "police action" demonstrations, many escaped prosecution by citing that the flag had touched the ground before it was set alight, and so the action was therefore in line with dictated protocol. Many courts had no precedent, and no answer for this defence.

My take on this - plastic flags are mostly waved by children who, while their concentration span may not be great (hence many ending up as litter) still wave them proudly at the time.

The flag may not be sacred - I'm not sure I regard ANY piece of fabric that way) but it IS a symbol, and it IS a source of patriotism and pride. We may not be the vocal, aggressively passionate flag wavers Americans are, but Aussies everywhere hold that flag and what it represents in their hearts no matter where they go.

Now... if only we could lose the red & white bit on the top left.... LOL

Sorry - I've rambled.

fanta

as far as i knew the only offence you can be charged with is burning our flag.it is like defacing the money i think it may come under the same offence
there is many places that have our flag flying in the rain and if the flag happens to fall on the ground it isn't an offence

Elizabeth

Australian Flag Protocol.

Dignity of the Flag:
The Australian National Flag should be displayed only in a manner befitting the national emblem.
It should always be flown aloft and free and should not be allowed to fall or lie upon the ground.

Displayed at night:
The flag may be displayed at night, but only when it is properly illuminated.

jobees

Yes I have been told it is disrespectful to allow the AUSTRALIA flag touch the ground by a manager at work.
When it rains we bring both flags in but I think it to stop them been damage.

JGC

It's supposed to be bad luck to let any flag touch the ground. So the protocol is actually derived from superstition.

If at a home, a flag outside generally shows that person is in residence, such as with the Queen. And it rains plenty in England so I think that one is less important to observe.

As for Australia, well most of the country has been in drought for the last 5 years, so I dont imagine anyone will be too upset if your flag is out in the rain. In fact we'd be delighted to see the rain and nobody would give two hoots!

Snowydevil

Hi, im in the air force cadets and in cadets we can not pay any disrespect to the flag, touching the ground....leaving it out in the rain, after dark unless it is lit up from a flood light...

But other than that my next door neighbours have theres up 24/7 lol

tentofield

There is nothing to stop you putting a flag on the ground, there is no law says you can't. It is probably not a good idea to do it in a formal flag raising ceremony but otherwise do with it as you wish. Australians are not as fussy about flags as the USA, there is nothing sacred about a flag, it's a piece of cloth.

Have you ever been to an Australia Day celebration where everyone is waving paper or plastic flags? Have a look afterwards at the number on the ground or stuffed in garbage bins. Flags are not special or sacred.

Added:
I am not completely incorrect. There are protocols for flag use and organisations such as the armed services have their own rules but there is no law that says a flag should never touch the ground and you cannot be charged with anything for allowing it to do so. In the Royal Navy, old flags are used as cleaning cloths.

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