The Australian Red Ensign

Ensign

An ensign is a national flag when used at sea, in vexillology, or a distinguishing token, emblem, or badge, such as a symbol of office in heraldry...

resulted from the 1901 Commonwealth Government Federal Flag Design Competition which required two entries: a flag for official use and one for the mercantile marine. The winning mercantile design was based on the traditional British Red Ensign

Red Ensign

The Red Ensign or "Red Duster" is a flag that originated in the early 17th century as a British ensign flown by the Royal Navy and later specifically by British merchantmen. The precise date of its first appearance is not known, but surviving receipts indicate that the Navy was paying to have such...

 and featured the Southern Cross and Commonwealth Star

Commonwealth Star

The Commonwealth Star is a seven-pointed star symbolising the Federation of Australia which came into force on 1 January 1901....

.

Devices

In 1903, the design of the Southern Cross constellation was altered from 5 stars with nine, eight, seven, six and five points respectively, to four stars with seven points and one with five points. The original variety of points was an indication of the relative brightness of each star as it appeared in the night sky.

In 1908, the current Commonwealth star of seven points replaced the earlier six-pointed star.

Maritime Ensign

Technically private non-commercial vessels were liable to a substantial fine if they did not fly the British Red Ensign. However, an Admiralty Warrant was issued on December 5, 1938 which authorised these vessels to fly the Australian Red Ensign. The Shipping Registration Act of 1981 reaffirmed that the Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

n Red Ensign was the proper "colours" for Australian registered ships and that private pleasure craft could fly either the Red Ensign or the Australian National Flag.

Flag of Australia

The flag of Australia is a defaced Blue Ensign: a blue field with the Union Flag in the canton , and a large white seven-pointed star known as the Commonwealth Star in the lower hoist quarter...

History

From 1901 to 1954 the Red Ensign was used as a civil flag by State and local governments, private organisations and individuals. The Blue Ensign was reserved for use by the Commonwealth Government, the Australian Olympic team and the military as a saluting flag at all reviews and ceremonial parades.

In 1941, Prime Minister Robert Menzies

Robert Menzies

Sir Robert Gordon Menzies, , Australian politician, was the 12th and longest-serving Prime Minister of Australia....

 stated that there should be no restrictions on private citizens using the Blue Ensign on land and, in 1947, Prime Minister Ben Chifley

Ben Chifley

Joseph Benedict Chifley , Australian politician, was the 16th Prime Minister of Australia. He took over the Australian Labor Party leadership and Prime Ministership after the death of John Curtin in 1945, and went on to retain government at the 1946 election, before being defeated at the 1949...

 reaffirmed this position but it wasn't until the passage of the Flags Act 1953

Flags Act 1953

The Flags Act 1953 is an act of the Parliament of Australia which defines the official Flag of Australia. Queen Elizabeth II gave Royal Assent on 14 February 1954 after opening the Commonwealth Parliament during her 1954 Royal Tour...

that the restriction on civilians flying the Blue Ensign was officially lifted after which use of the Red Ensign on land became a rarity.

External links

• Australia's forgotten flag: The Red Ensign