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Gold - the symbol of Australia’s sporting victories, and the colour of our mineral wealth, beaches, the golden fleece of Australian wool and the harvests of golden grains across every state.
Green - the…
On the first day of September each year, Australians wear sprays of wattle to celebrate National Wattle Day. National Wattle Day was officially proclaimed on 23 June 1992 by the then Governor-General of Australia, His Excellency the…
To find out more information about recipients of Australian honours, search the Australian honours database. There are options to perform a simple search based on name, announcement, medal/award type, or an advanced search which searches all the…
1. The Parliament of Australia
I request the instrument, or otherwise information, that defines the meaning of the word 'Australia' within the term 'The Parliament of Australia', that appeared in 1973, in contradistinction to the term 'The…
For each portfolio, the Ministry list identifies:Cabinet ministersother ministersparliamentary secretaries (referred to as ‘assistant ministers’).The Ministry list also identifies representation in the other chamber, once settled.The Ministry list…
1 July to 31 December 20241 January to 30 June 20241 July to 31 December 20231 January to 30 June 2023
1770
The Union Jack was first raised in Australia on 29 April 1770 by Captain Cook at Stingray Harbour (later renamed Botany Bay).
1788
Governor Phillip hoisted this flag again on 26…
Opal, also known to Indigenous people as the fire of the desert, is a powerful symbol of Australia's arid interior.
Australia is home to the world's highest quality, precious opal. The most famous is black opal from Lightning Ridge in…
The committee recommends that the Australian Government become a Participant or Associate Member of the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation Against Ukraine (Register of Damage for Ukraine) as a matter of priority.…
The flagThe flag of the state of Western Australia is the British blue ensign, consisting of a blue flag with the Union Jack occupying the upper quarter next to the staff, and the state badge situated centrally in the fly.The black swan has been…
I request the information, documents and instruments held by the department that detail and establish in law or convention, any of the following:
The name of the Crown(s) that the Sovereign of Australia possesses.
The creation date of the Crown(…
When in flower, the golden wattle displays the national colours, green and gold.The golden wattle is an evergreen, tall shrub or small tree. It can grow to 8 metres tall and lives up to 12-15 years. It grows in South Australia, Victoria, New…
REMUNERATION TRIBUNAL ACT 1973INSTRUMENT OF ASSIGNMENT UNDER SECTION 14(3)In accordance with subsection 14(3) of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973 and consistent with the classification structure determined by the Remuneration…
The Centenary Flag was proclaimed a flag of Australia under section 6 of the Flags Act 1953 on 20 September 2001.
The Australian National Flag Association presented the Centenary Flag to the Hon John Howard MP, the then…
Australia’s first Commonwealth Coat of Arms was granted by King Edward VII in 1908. This showed the kangaroo and emu supporting the shield and standing on a grassy mound. Australia’s second Coat of Arms was granted in 1912 by King George V in a…
The Australian National Anthem identifies Australia at home and overseas and is used at official and public ceremonies and sporting and community events. From 1 January 2021, the second line of the Australian National Anthem was changed from ‘For we…
Review of the transfer of the 2003 Cabinet records from PM&C to the National Archives of Australia© Commonwealth of Australia 2023ISBN 978-1-925365-41-2 (online)Copyright noticeWith the exception of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms…
Proclamation of King Charles the ThirdOn 9 September 2022 (GMT +01:00) the Accession Council convened at St. James’s Palace, and gave orders proclaiming the new Sovereign of the United Kingdom. The instrument proclaims Prince Charles Philip Arthur…
Signed copies of these instruments are available in the attached PDF.Burney, Linda JeanExecutive Council MemberI, DAVID JOHN HURLEY, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, pursuant to section 62 of the Constitution, hereby notify that I…
29 April 1770
Queen Anne Union Flag raised by Captain Cook at Stingray Harbour, later renamed Botany Bay
22 August 1770
Queen Anne Union Flag raised by Captain…
Evolution of a national flag
Before federation, Australia’s colonies flew the flags of the United Kingdom: the Union Jack (more formally called the Union Flag) and its other flags.
The Union Jack was first raised in Australia on 29 April…
On 1 January 1901, the six colonies united to form the Commonwealth of Australia. In search of a flag for the new nation, the Commonwealth Government announced a worldwide competition.
Entrants were invited to submit colour sketches for a design…
The Governor-General appoints the secretary of a department on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. Appointments are made by written instrument.The secretary of a department is a full-time public servant. Their roles and responsibilities are…