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Are Aussies allowed to display their flag inverted or backwards? (feddit.online)
submitted 3 months ago by to c/australia@aussie.zone
10 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

I know for certain the US flag does this, but does it carry the same definition regarding the Australian Flag:

A flag flown or displayed up side down signifies:

  • A sign of distress (rooted from maritime or military traditions)
  • Political Protest (like distrust towards government or authority)
  • It's to protest over government policies (flex that in Canberra)
  • It's a naval SOS signal when a ship is under attack or sinking
  • It's also a SOS signal when military outposts are under attack
  • Only displayed or shown during extreme peril & danger

A flag flown or displayed in reverse signifies:

  • Moving forward and refusing to retreat (it has battlefield origins)
  • Mainly exclusive to law enforcement (police) or the military (ADF)
  • It's placed in reverse on combat uniforms as a symbol to charge forward
  • The patch is placed on the right shoulder on soldiers (like ADF personnel)
  • Right side placement is only common in police cruisers / military vehicles
  • In aviation: the flag on aircraft typically flies alongside wind direction

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[–] 10 points 3 months ago (1 child)

https://www.pmc.gov.au/resources/australian-flags-booklet/part-2-protocols-appropriate-use-and-flying-flag/displaying-australian-national-flag

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  • [–] 8 points 3 months ago*

    Bumping this. As fun as the snarky junkposts are, this is an actual, authoritative answer.

    Since OP is asking what's "allowed", they're probably asking what the Government's laws or guidelines are. Here is a more detailed guide, which answers more of OP's questions: https://www.pmc.gov.au/honours-and-symbols/australian-national-symbols/australian-national-flag/australian-national-flag-protocols @animemann80@feddit.online

    Fun fact, the vertically-inverted flag ("upside-down") is not a recognised symbol in Australia. It's a US-culture import, and it makes it easy to spot possible brainworms from the US circus. "Do not fly the flag upside down, even as a signal of distress."

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    • [–] 9 points 3 months ago

    I don't have a flag, but I am not inbred.

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    [–] 6 points 3 months ago (1 child)

    Is this a trick question? You're supposed to burn them.

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  • [–] 1 point 3 months ago

    Apparently not:

    When the material of a flag deteriorates it may either be placed in a permanent place of storage or should be destroyed privately and in a dignified way such as cutting it into small unrecognisable pieces, placing it in an appropriate sealed bag or closed container and then putting it in the normal rubbish collection

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    • [–] 2 points 3 months ago (1 child)

    You can't even fly an Australian flag upside down

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    • [–] 2 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

    "backwards" would require modifying the flag to mount on the opposite side. It would need to be built backwards. It's not flying a flag differently, but flying a different flag.

    The "moving forwards" thing strikes me as odd. It implies that "forwards" is to the right of frame, but I can't think of why this association would exist, besides being mounted on the righthand side of something.

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    [–] 1 point 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

    If you hang your flag wrong Bryan Brown comes around, says “g’day boys” and helps you how to do it right while someone lights up the barbie.

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    [–] 1 point 3 months ago

    I think I've seen a similar post on here a while ago and while I have no idea if you'd be fined for flying the flag wrong, flying it upside-down or inverted isn't really a thing in Oz.

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