Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

he SPEAKER (): The importance of the Australian national flag cannot be overstated. Parliament House is an iconic Australian building, and being a location of national significance we need to maintain a level of consistency and pride in its presentation and facade within the parliamentary precinct. The Australian national flag is part of the building and our national identity. I understand the concern from members and members of the public about the current condition of the Parliament House flag. This is an issue the President of the Senate and I are aware of and take very seriously.

The Department of Parliamentary Services have advised that as a result of a combination of high winds and the requirement to undertake urgent maintenance of the mechanisms, it is making it unsafe at the moment to change the flag. We have been assured that the changeover will occur as soon as it is safe to do so. I will continue to work with the Department of Parliamentary Services to make sure that the delay is kept to a minimum and I will keep members informed.

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