MEDIA RELEASE. Monday 27 January 1997
As part of the Australia Day holiday weekend celebrations, the co-chairmen of Ausflag, Nick Greiner and Nicholas Whitlam will officially unveil a new design for the Australian Flag at the Sydney Town Hall steps on Monday 27 January 1997 at 10:00 am.
The design is a result of a survey conducted by AGB-McNair, which revealed that of those who wanted a new Australian Flag, most wanted to retain the Southern Cross and the red, white and blue colours.
The co-chairmen said: "While this is not intended to be the definitive design for a new Australian Flag, it is an example of how the elements of the Southern Cross and the red, white and blue can be brought together to create a unique and inspiring design." They added: "We welcome the Federal Government′s new legislation which will require a plebiscite before the flag can be changed. This will give the people of Australia a range of designs from which to choose our own flag as was the case with the National Anthem plebiscite in 1977."
They said: "There is clear evidence that the Australian people are increasingly wanting their own flag in time for the 2000 Olympics and the new millennium. It is vital that the world sees us a mature, independent nation, not a colony still subordinate to Britain. We urge the Federal Government to support and promote open and vigorous debate on the subject, devote sufficient funds for professional research and design and appoint a multi-party Parliamentary Committee (following Canada′s example). Alternative designs may then be properly considered in order that the Australian people will have the best possible choice of designs on which to vote at the plebiscite, preferably at the next Federal election."