On 13 February 2008 the Australian Parliament made a formal apology to members of the Stolen Generations. To recognise the anniversary of the occasion and in national recognition of Indigenous Australians, the Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag should be flown on additional flagpoles, where available, next to or near the Australian National Flag on Australian Government buildings and establishments all day on Sunday, 13 February 2022.
If there is only one flagpole available at a flag station the Australian Aboriginal Flag or the Torres Strait Islander Flag should not replace the Australian National Flag. But if two flagpoles are available, it is at the discretion of the authority concerned to determine which of the two flags is flown with the Australian National Flag. The Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag have equal status and may be flown in any order after the Australian National Flag.
Should it be the practice to fly other flags at the flag station, please refer to the Order of Precedence for flying the Australian National Flag along with other flags which can be found in the ‘Australian Flags’ booklet.
State, territory and local government agencies as well as non-government organisations are also welcome to follow this protocol.
The financial and staffing implications arising from weekend flag marshal duties are the responsibility of each organisation.
Your assistance is appreciated.
Commonwealth Flag Officer