{"id":"F2008L00210","name":"Proclamation under the Flags Act 1953 (Torres Strait Islander Flag)","slug":"proclamation-under-the-flags-act-1953-torres-strait-islander-flag","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":72412,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2008L00210-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Proclamation under the Flags Act 1953 (Torres Strait Islander Flag)","content":"![](image.001.png)\n\nProclamation under the Flags Act 1953\n\nFlags Act 1953\n\nI, PHILIP MICHAEL JEFFERY, Governor‑General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council and noting the fact that the flag reproduced in Schedule 1 and described in Schedule 2 is recognised as the flag of the Torres Strait Islander people of Australia and a flag of significance to the Australian nation generally, appoint that flag, under section 5 of the Flags Act 1953, to be the flag of the Torres Strait Islander people of Australia and to be known as the Torres Strait Islander Flag with effect from 1 January 2008.\n\nSigned and sealed with the  \nGreat Seal of Australia  \non 25 January 2008\n\nP. M. JEFFERY  \nGovernor‑General\n\nBy His Excellency’s Command\n\nJOHN FAULKNER\n\nCabinet Secretary\n\nSchedule 1 Torres Strait Islander Flag\n\n![](image.002.jpeg)\n\nSchedule 2 Description of Torres Strait Islander Flag\n\nThe Torres Strait Islander Flag is divided horizontally into three stripes by thin black lines (symbolising the Torres Strait Islander people), the upper and lower stripes being green (symbolising the land) and the central stripe being blue (symbolising the sea). Superimposed centrally on the blue stripe are a white dhari (a headdress, symbolising the Torres Strait Islander people) and, enclosed by it, a five‑pointed white star (symbolising both a star used for navigation by the Torres Strait Islander people and the 5 Torres Strait Islander groups, its colour symbolising peace).","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The proclamation confines itself to appointing and describing the Torres Strait Islander Flag under the Flags Act 1953; it does not amend the Act or create ancillary duties, funding, enforcement mechanisms, or broader regulatory changes."},"complexity_factors":["Single-purpose instrument: a straightforward appointment and description of one flag (low legislative breadth).","Reference to section 5 of the Flags Act 1953 — legal effect arises from that enabling provision rather than new domestic rules in the proclamation.","Formal executive procedure: signed by the Governor‑General acting with advice of the Federal Executive Council (constitutional/formal layer).","Inclusion of schedules with a visual image and a textual description and symbolic meanings (interpretive reliance on schedule content).","No procedural, compliance, enforcement or funding provisions included in the text (limits operational complexity)."],"plain_english_summary":"This proclamation, made by the Governor‑General with the advice of the Federal Executive Council under section 5 of the Flags Act 1953, formally appoints and names the Torres Strait Islander Flag as the flag of the Torres Strait Islander people of Australia, effective 1 January 2008. It records the flag’s physical description and the symbolic meanings attributed to its colours, the white dhari and the five‑pointed white star, and notes that the flag is recognised as significant to the Australian nation."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The proclamation serves exactly its intended purpose: to formally recognise a specific flag under the Flags Act 1953. It does not expand beyond the straightforward administrative act of flag appointment."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 300 words)","No defined terms requiring interpretation","No cross-references to other legislation beyond the single citation of section 5 of the Flags Act 1953","Simple declarative structure: appointment of flag with effective date","Two schedules containing only descriptive content (visual representation and symbolic explanation)","No conditional logic, exceptions, or procedural requirements"],"plain_english_summary":"This proclamation formally recognises the Torres Strait Islander Flag as an official Australian flag under the Flags Act 1953, giving it the same legal standing as the Australian and Aboriginal flags. It confirms the flag’s name and official description, affecting Torres Strait Islander peoples, all Australians, and government bodies by ensuring correct, authorised use and recognition of Torres Strait Islander identity and symbols."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/proclamation-under-the-flags-act-1953-torres-strait-islander-flag","history":"/api/acts/proclamation-under-the-flags-act-1953-torres-strait-islander-flag/history","analysis":"/api/acts/proclamation-under-the-flags-act-1953-torres-strait-islander-flag/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/proclamation-under-the-flags-act-1953-torres-strait-islander-flag/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/proclamation-under-the-flags-act-1953-torres-strait-islander-flag/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/proclamation-under-the-flags-act-1953-torres-strait-islander-flag/documents"}}