Message from the Premier of Western Australia

THE HON ALAN CARPENTER MLA

The Western Australian Government acknowledges the 107th anniversary of the original Australian National Flag on 3 September 2008.

It is notable that our nation was formed by consensus, our original flag was open to a competition from the people, and Commonwealth legislation passed in 1998 provided that no further amendments to the flag be undertaken unless approved by the Australian Electorate.

With the successful design being selected from entries lodged by members of the public, it is of interest to Western Australians that Ms Annie Dorrington of Perth was one of those who lodged the winning design.

The Southern Cross symbolises our geographic position in the world, with the Federation Star representing the unity of our nation.  The Crosses of St George, St Andrew and St Patrick represent the national flags of England, Scotland and Ireland, and importantly, reflect those basic principles under which we are governed in Parliamentary Democracy, the Rule of Law and Freedom of Speech.

The flag was amended in 1908 by the addition of a seventh point to the Federation Star to represent Australia’s Federal Territories.

In line with the strong democratic traditions of this nation, the control of the Australian National Flag is now firmly in the hands of the people who it represents, in one nation, over one continent.

Alan Carpenter MLA
PREMIER
7 August 2008