Some thoughts to consider.

Australia's present national flag is the subject of some debate. Questions are posed as to whether it properly represents contemporary Australia and its diverse people.

The following questions are provided to draw out some of the points commonly made in that debate.

1  How important is a nation's flag and what relevance does it have in every-day life?

2  Should a nation's flag be designed principally for the people of the nation itself,  or should it be designed to represent the country to the remainder of the world?

3  Given that the National Flag is the nation's principal symbol -  if you were designing a new flag for Australia, what aspects of our land and its features - history, culture, tradition and religion etc  would you think were important to include?

4 With people from about 90 countries now living in Australia, a flag design competition would attract many quite different designs. Should its design be left to politicians and experts, or should the people be  given a say?

5 Should the decision to change - from our present flag be made by politicians or should the people be consulted by referendum?

6 Canada changed its national flag in 1965. Should we follow Canada's example?

7 It is often pointed out that the flags of Australia and New Zealand are similar. Is this a good and proper reason for changing our flag?

8 It is frequently said that there is nothing in the present flag for - the Aboriginal people of Australia. Do you see anything in the present Australia flag with which the Aborigines could identify?

9 Is it true that the present flag was given to us by Britain?