Why is the British flag on the Australian flag?

The Union Flag is thought to symbolise Australia's history as six British colonies and the principles upon which the Australian Federation is based, although a more historic view sees its inclusion in the design as demonstrating loyalty to the British Empire.

Why is there the British flag on the upper left corner of the Australian flag?

The Union Jack in the upper left corner acknowledges the history of British settlement. Below the Union Jack is a white Commonwealth star. It has seven points representing the unity of the six states and the territories of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Why is the British flag on the New Zealand flag?

The Union Jack in the top left-hand corner of the Flag recognises New Zealand's historical foundations as a former British colony and dominion.

How does the Australian flag not represent Australia?

The flag represents the Aboriginal people of Australia, and their unique and ancient culture while the Australian National Flag represents all Australians and their common traditions and beliefs.

Is Australia a British colony?

Britain's first contact with Australia came with Captain Cook's voyage in the ship Endeavour. He landed in Australia in 1770 and claimed it as a British territory. The process of colonisation began in 1788.

The History of the Australian Flag

What did the British do to the Aboriginal?

The English settlers and their descendants expropriated native land and removed the indigenous people by cutting them from their food resources, and engaged in genocidal massacres.

Does England still rule Australia?

Australia is a constitutional monarchy with The Queen as Sovereign. As a constitutional monarch, The Queen, by convention, is not involved in the day-to-day business of the Australian Government, but she continues to play important ceremonial and symbolic roles. The Queen's relationship to Australia is unique.

What does a black Australian flag mean?

The Australian Aboriginal Flag was first raised on 9 July 1971 at Victoria Square in Adelaide. It was also used at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra in 1972. Mr Harold Thomas from Northern Australia designed the flag. The top half of the flag is black to symbolise Indigenous people.

What are the 3 Australian flags?

There are three official flags in Australia. The 3 flags of Australia include the Australian National Flag, the Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag.

Should the Aboriginal flag be the Australian flag?

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags are equal in status and can be flown on either side of the national flag. There is no rule stating that the Aboriginal flag must be to the right of the Australian National Flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag on the left of the Australian National Flag or vice versa.

Did Australia copy New Zealand flag?

New Zealand adopted its current design in 1902 — Australia didn't do the same for its flag until 1954. A version of its current design was apparently flown in Australia in 1901, but a New Zealand government website claims that versions of the current New Zealand flag were flown as early as the 1860s, usually on ships.

Does New Zealand have 2 flags?

New Zealand's first flag, Te Kara, was chosen and flew here at Waitangi exactly 185 years ago today and is still one of NZ's official flags. Visiting schools are surprised to learn that NZ has two flags!

What has Australia stolen from NZ?

What flag did Australia fight under in ww2?

Most Australians fought under either the Australian Red Ensign or the Union Jack in World War II. All Australian Naval personnel fought under the British Naval Ensign in both world wars. Relatively few have fought in declared wars under the Australian Blue Ensign as we now know it.

Why do Australia and New Zealand have the Union Jack?

Why are the flags so similar? When Capt. James Cook landed in Australia and (against orders of the Crown) declared the land a British colony, Australia and New Zealand shared a flag based on the blue ensign — a flag used by the British Navy.

When was the British flag raised in Australia?

On 22 August, 1770, the First Union Flag was raised on Possession Island by Lt James Cook, RN. In so doing he proclaimed the whole of the eastern portion of Australia as British territory which eventually helped facilitate modern settlement of Australia.

Can you fly the Aboriginal flag?

The Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag are equal in precedence so may be flown in any order.

What does an upside down Australian flag mean?

To fly a flag upside down is a signal of distress. The Australian National Flag should not, therefore, be displayed with the Union Jack down on any occasion except as a signal of distress.

Can you fly another country's flag in Australia?

International practice forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another in time of peace. The Australian National Flag should, however, be raised first and lowered last, unless the number of flags permits their being raised and lowered simultaneously.

What is the white Australian flag?

The Australian White Ensign (also known as the Australian Naval Ensign or the Royal Australian Navy Ensign) is a naval ensign used by ships of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) from 1967 onwards. From the formation of the RAN until 1967, Australian warships used the British White Ensign as their ensign.

Why are the kangaroo and emu on the Australian coat of arms?

Description of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms

The shield is held up by the native Australian animals the kangaroo and the emu, which were chosen to symbolise a nation moving forward, based on the fact that neither animal can move backwards easily.

Does the Queen have any power in Australia?

According to the Australian Parliamentary Library, Australia's head of state is the monarch, and its head of government is the prime minister, with powers limited by both law and convention for government to be carried on democratically.

How British is Australia?

In the 2011 census Australians were asked to describe their ancestry, and were allowed to list two countries. England came top with 36.1%, Australia was second at 35.4%, whilst Scotland and Ireland were third and fourth with 10.4% and 8.9% respectively.

Does the queen own land in Australia?

If prestigious residences and commercial space weren't impressive enough, let it be known that the queen also owns Australia. She technically owns the land of any commonwealth she reigns over, which includes Australia and Canada, along with several Caribbean islands.