Flag poll: vexing vexillological view put to the vote

Dr John Blaxland. Photo by Penny Bradfield.
14 February 2014
Dr John Blaxland. Photo by Penny Bradfield.

 

New Aussie flag design put to test with online poll.

Military historian Dr John Blaxland says it’s time for Australia to stop being half-mast and change its outdated national flag – and he wants your vote.

The ex-soldier and scholar from the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific is arguing for a more inclusive national symbol that better represents where the nation has come from and where it is headed.

And now Dr Blaxland is putting his own design for a new flag to the vote, with an online Facebook poll.

The poll aims to start a wider conversation on whether it is time for change and what a new Australian flag might look like.

“Flags are not unchangeable,” said Dr Blaxland. “Symbolism is important but Australia's defining national symbol, its flag, needs updating.

“And changes are not always ''revolutionary''. More often than not, change is good. And in this case, the flag is a relic of a bygone era.

“Many, if not most, Australians are simply left out of the current design.”

You can take the poll on Dr Blaxland’s new flag at the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific Facebook page.

More: read why Dr John Blaxland thinks we need to change our flag and the motivation behind his design.

Updated:  16 October, 2013/Responsible Officer:  Web Communications Coordinator/Page Contact:  Web Communications Coordinator