Could this become Australia’s new flag?
The Southern Horizon was the most popular choice for a new Australian flag in a university survey. (Image: Western Sydney University)
A design featuring the Federation Star and the Southern Cross above waves of Australia’s national colours is the most popular choice for an alternative Australian flag, according to a university study.
The ‘Southern Horizon’ features the iconic stars in a blue sky above waves of green and gold representing Australia’s hills, plains and beaches.
It was the most popular choice in a public survey by Dr Benjamin T. Jones from Western Sydney University, attracting 31 percent of more than 8000 responses.
The survey, which featured six alternative options, was part of a larger Australian Research Council funded project into Australian national symbols.
The ‘Reconciliation Flag’ came in second place with 28 percent of the vote.
Of the participants, 88 percent identified as being of British, Irish or European heritage and three percent identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
Dr Jones said he believed a democratic vote on the Australian flag was “overdue”.
"Those who support a new Australian flag design fall primarily into two categories; those who want a neutral design with some link to the current flag, and those who want a completely new design with specific recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples," he said.
"Australia has never had a truly democratic process to choose a national flag. The 1901 competition for a flag of government — not a national flag — required a British element and British approval.”
He said the survey results mirrored the recent flag referendum in New Zealand.
The winning flag, the ‘Silver Fern’ also maintained the blue background and red stars of the original flag.
"Similar to New Zealand, the winning design in this survey, the 'Southern Horizon' flag, maintains the blue backdrop of the Australian flag, as well as the Southern Cross and the Federation Star. There are minimal changes beyond the removal of the Union Jack."
A second referendum will be held later this year to determine if New Zealand should adopt the Silver Fern as its flag.
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