EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Issued by the Authority of the Cabinet Secretary
Flags Act 1953
Proclamation under the Flags Act 1953
The Flags Act 1953 provides for the Australian National Flag, and also provides that the Governor‑General may, by proclamation under section 5 of the Act, appoint such other flags and ensigns of Australia as he thinks fit.
The Royal Australian Air Force Ensign was initially adopted in 1948. It was later amended in 1982.
A proclamation was made by the Governor‑General on 6 May 1982 recognising the ensign (described in the Schedule) under section 5 of the Flags Act 1953 as the ensign of the Royal Australian Air Force and to be known as the Royal Australian Air Force Ensign.
The Schedule described the Royal Australian Air Force Ensign as a sky blue flag with the Union Jack occupying the upper quarter next the staff, with a large white seven-pointed star (representing the six states of Australia and the Territories of the Commonwealth) in the centre of the lower quarter next the staff and pointing direct to the centre of the St. George’s Cross in the Union Jack, and five white stars (representing the Southern Cross) and the Royal Australian Air Force Roundel in royal blue, white and red in the fly on the half of the flag further from the staff. The dimensions and positions of the stars of the Southern Cross in relation to each other are the same as the Australian National Flag, but the Southern Cross as a whole is angled away from the fly with ‘Gamma Crucis’ positioned as for the Australian National Flag and ‘Alpha Crucis’ positioned 1/6 of the width of the fly from the bottom edge. The roundel is positioned with the centre of the roundel 1/4 of the width of the fly from the outer and lower edge. The white circle has an outer diameter of 4/11 of the width of the fly with an inner diameter of 8/33 of the width of the fly. The red kangaroo in motion in the centre of the roundel is placed on the white circle facing the staff so that the tip of the nose is 1/36 of the width of the fly from the inner edge of the blue circle, with the tips of the tail and hind feet 1/72 of the width of the fly away from the inner edge of the blue circle.
Due to an administrative oversight, the proclamation was not lodged in accordance with the requirements of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 to ensure it remained in force. Consequently, the proclamation was automatically repealed on 1 January 2008.
The new Proclamation replaces the original proclamation to ensure that the Royal Australian Air Force Ensign continues to be recognised in all Australian States and Territories as the ensign of the Australian Air Force. It has effect from 1 January 2008.
Due to the instrument being machinery in nature consultation was not necessary.
The retrospective nature of the proclamation is not considered to affect the rights of, or liabilities imposed on, any individual to the individual’s disadvantage.