'Everyone go out and get an Aboriginal flag t-shirt'

Brooke Boney is calling for all Australians to go out and celebrate get themselves an Aboriginal flag t-shirt after an historic deal returned the rights to the flag back to the public.

The Federal Government has paid $20 million to finally end copyright issues to make the flag  freely available for public use by all Australians.

READ MORE: Aboriginal flag 'freed' for public use in $20m government copyright deal

"[Luritja artist Harold Thomas] who designed the flag has got a bit of coin out of it as well," Brooke, a Gamilaroi woman who grew up in Muswellbrook in New South Wales' Hunter Valley region, told her Today co-hosts.

"He's setting up a foundation and there's a grant for artists as well. I think it's wonderful."

After cease and desist notices had been sent during the AFL Indigenous round last year, Brooke said she can't wait to see the flag flown everywhere when the NRL's Indigenous round kicks off this year.

"I'll be wearing it - we can all wear it. It's lovely," she said.

"I think the cost was around $20 million, that's less than a dollar per person. I reckon we should all go out and get our money's worth.

"Everyone go out and get an Aboriginal flag t-shirt."

The government purchased the copyright in a historic deal with the emblem's creator.

The $20.05 million deal ends ongoing controversies over the flag's use stemming from non-Indigenous company WAM Clothing buying the exclusive rights to the flag in November 2018.

READ MORE: Brooke Boney says 'sue me' over controversial Aboriginal flag issue

The licence meant anyone wishing to use the flag on clothing or in physical and digital media had to ask permission and pay a fee, with several organisations being sent cease-and-desist notices.

Now the copyright has been transferred to the Commonwealth, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the flag had been "freed" for all Australians, allowing it to be used "in a similar manner to the Australian National Flag".

"It's not a great deal of money [in terms of government money spent] when you look at Indigenous expenditure," Brooke added. 

"If you want to be upset about the cost of things, have look at how much it costs to run programs that don't work, how little we've done in terms of closing the gap. I think it's good. I'm happy with it," she said.

Watch the full segment with Brooke above

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