Policy No: Dcs 19 - Cl

Policy No: Dcs 19 - Cl

POLICY NO: DCS 19 - CL

FLAG PROTOCOL

POLICY

Date Resolved By Council:11 December 2013

Commencement Date:11 December 2013

Review Date:December 2016

Responsible Department:Corporate Services

This policy has been authorised and is included on Council’s Website.

Peter Brown

Chief Executive Officer

11 December 2013

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FLAG PROTOCOL POLICY

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1.PURPOSE

To outline the flag protocols observed by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in respect to flying of the Australian Flag with state flags and/or other flags prescribed by the Flags Act 1953.

2.OBJECTIVE

To clearly outline the correct flag protocol when flying the Australian National flag with other flags prescribed by the Flags Act 1953 and to set the parameters around the use of the flag poles at the Coburg Civic Centre.

3.BACKGROUND

Every sovereign nation flies its own national flag as the symbol of the country, of the people, of the ideals and beliefs that those people live by and proclaim.

For the Australian people the Australian National flag is the chief national symbol and was raised for the first time on 3 September 1901 in the presence of the first Australian Prime Minister, the Hon. Edmund Barton. This symbol of nationality stands for the democracy which allows Australians to discuss its meaning and origins.

Flag protocol is based on longstanding international and national practice.

4.DETAILS

ORDER OF PRECEDENCE

The Australian National flag takes precedence in Australia over all other flags when it is flown in company with other flags. Thereafter when flown in the community, the order of precedence of flags is:

  1. The Australian National flag.
  1. State and Territory flags.
  1. Other flags prescribed by the Flags Act 1953 including:
  • The Australian Aboriginal flag.
  • The Torres Strait Islander flag in either order.
  1. Ensigns and pennants including local government; Commonwealth, state and territory agencies; and non-government organisations.
  1. Ensigns and pennants of Council supported causes including but not limited to:
  • International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.
  • White Ribbon Day.

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL FLAG POSITION

If there is an even number of flagpoles and only one Australian National flag is available, the Australian National flag should be flown on the far left of a person facing the building.

If there is an even number of flagpoles and two Australian National flags are available, one should be flown at each end of the line. The flagpoles must be of uniform height.

When flying the Australian National flag with state flags and/or other flags (such as local government flags, house flags, club pennants, corporate and company flags) in a line of flagpoles, the order of the flags should follow the rules of precedence. The Australian National flag should always be flown on the far left of a person facing the building. For example, if the Australian National flag was being flown with a state flag and a local government flag, the Australian National flag would be flown on the far left (the position of honour), the state flag to the right of it and the local government flag to the right of the state flag. If there are two Australian National flags, one can be flown at each end of a line of flags.

FLYING AND HANDLING THE FLAG

The Australian National Flag may be flown everyday throughout the year. The flag should not be flown in a position inferior to that of any other flag or ensign. The superior position is based on the formation of the flagpoles in the set, not the height of the flag on the flagpole.

  • The flag should not be smaller than that of any other flag or ensign.
  • The flag should always be flown aloft and free as close as possible to the top of the flag mast, with the rope tightly secured.
  • Unless all the flags can be raised and lowered simultaneously, the Australian National flag should be raised first and lowered last when flown with other flags.
  • When the flag is raised or lowered, all present should face the flag and remain silent.
  • The Australian National flag should be raised briskly and lowered with dignity.
  • The flag may only be flown at night when illuminated.
  • Two flags should not be flown from the same flagpole.
  • The flag should not be flown upside.

DISPOSAL OF FLAGS

When a flag becomes dilapidated and no longer suitable for use, it should be destroyed privately and in a dignified way. For example, it may be cut into small unrecognisable pieces then disposed of with the normal rubbish collection.

RESPONSIBILITY OF FLYING FLAGS

The Civic Facilities Unit is responsible for lowering, raising and replacement of the following flags:

  • The Australian National flag.
  • The Aboriginal flag.
  • The Torres strait Islander flag.

The Social Development Unit is responsible for providing flags of Council supported causes and liaising with the Civic Facilities Unit for these flags to be raised and lowered on the fourth flag pole.

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