GEORGIA STYNES, HOST: Now, across the ACT and in the Northern Territory today, Australian flags were flying at half mast. So, how much do you actually know about which occasions are marked in this way? Joining us to have a chat about this is Patrick Gorman, Assistant Minister for the Prime Minister and our guest on Drive. Good afternoon.
PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: Good afternoon, Georgia. And good afternoon to your listeners, whether or not they be fans of knowing intricate detail about flag protocol or not.
STYNES: Well, you stepped up to the mark. You are a bit of a fan of flag protocol, I understand.
GORMAN: I am. I have responsibility for the Flags Act of 1953, and as a result I get a number of letters. Normally they write to the Prime Minister where people have questions about flag protocol and I have the honour of replying to all of those questions. But also making sure that we celebrate our flags and use it as an opportunity to sort of learn a little bit more about our nation, which we're doing this afternoon.
STYNES: Yes. So, under what circumstances, or how do people qualify I guess, for the Australian flag to be flown at half the mast?
GORMAN: Well, firstly, flying flags half mast internationally is known as a sign of mourning. So, we do fly flags routinely at half mast for Anzac Day, Remembrance Day. People would remember that when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II passed away, we flew flags at half mast not just on the announcement of her death, but in fact, all the way up until her official funeral. So, there's a range of reasons. The reason that we have a flag flying at half mast today here in the ACT and in the Northern Territory is to remember the Honourable Grant Tambling AM. He was a Senator for the Northern Territory and he served as a Parliamentary Secretary in the Howard Government, and then went on to serve as Administrator of Norfolk Island for a number of years. So, it's in recognition of his service as someone who gave a lot to this country, both here in the ACT and also in the Northern Territory. And that is, there are a range of people, such as that, where we do routinely fly flags a half mast, either just in the state or territory which they were serving, or on occasion as a national half mast flying exercise.
STYNES: And so who decides? I mean, I imagine a number of people have to agree, if someone warrants it?
GORMAN: We have extensive practice of flag protocol based on long standing policy. This isn't a matter of law, but it's long standing practise. It's the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet who give advice through what is known as the Commonwealth Flag network. So, it might be that a territory or a state advises us of the passing of a Governor or a former Minister and of course then we take action and make sure that the appropriate protocols that have been long standing are applied. And what I'd say to all of your listeners is that the Commonwealth Flag Network might sound like an exclusive club, but everyone is free to join and all you have to do is type Commonwealth Flag Network into the search engine of your choice. I won't tell any brand names.
STYNES: Yes.
GORMAN: And you can sign up and you'll receive notices, which also serve often as notices of where significant individuals may have unfortunately passed.
STYNES: Do you have to like sort of swear that you'll be a flag nerd, so to speak, or not? Is there any sort of swearing in, in that respect?
GORMAN: There's not. But when you get to that website, you'll also see the flags booklet which I had the honour of launching back in 2022 for the 70th anniversary – as we were celebrating 69th anniversary of the Flags Act on Flag Day on September 3rd. And that's one of the many resources that we provide to the public at large, including members of the Flag Network.
STYNES: So. But, when it comes to say today it was Northern Territory and Canberra, obviously the buildings had it. But if you have a flag at home, are you required to do it as well?
GORMAN: There is no requirement in law for people to follow. But what we find is that people who have flags at their establishments, be they anything from sporting clubs, community buildings, people have them on their private residences, at pubs and so many other locations, people normally want to follow flag protocol. So, we provide that advice and again give the advice when they should be lowered to half mast. And what I find is that people really want to do the right thing when it comes to our flag. They really want to do the right thing. And so we just try and provide as much support as possible.
STYNES: Okay, so we're on the news now. So, just one final question for people wanting to find out more information, significance of occasions when it's at half mast and those sorts of things, just tell us the page they can go to again?
GORMAN: Search engine of your choice, go to the Commonwealth Flag Network. You can sign up for all of the updates and get information on recent decisions.
STYNES: Thanks so much for your time. I appreciate it.
GORMAN: Thank you.