Flags, Nationhood Material and Wreaths

Overarching obligations

The Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 imposes overarching obligations.
The dominant purpose and value for money tests and specified conditions must be met. See s25, 26, 27, 28.
The Commonwealth is not liable to pay an expense or provide a public resource where you contravene any of these obligations (s29, PBR Act).

Nationhood Material

For the conduct of your parliamentary business, and subject to the limit of your annual budget for office expenses and your obligation to ensure your expenditure provides value for money, you may purchase flags, flag lapel pins and documents related to nationhood, of kinds approved by the Special Minister of State, for presentation to constituents or organisations.

  • ‘Documents’ may be written, printed or electronic.
  • ‘Constituents’ - is defined in section 5 Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 as a person enrolled to vote or resident in your electorate (State/Territory for a Senator).
  • ‘Presentation’ - it is expected that there will be an element of formality in the act and/or ceremony attached to the manner in which flags, flag lapel pins and documents are presented and that the presentation is made directly by you to the recipient.

There is no sub-limit for the amount you may spend - the only limit is the limit of your annual budget for office expenses. Nationhood material expenditure is reported in your Monthly Management Reports and Quarterly Expenditure Reports.

Note: Flags obtained for presentation as part of the Chamber Flag Program are not debited from the annual budget for office expenses.

On this page

Flags and Flag Lapel Pins

Nationhood Documents

Wreaths

Flags

The flag types and sizes that have been approved for presentation to constituents and organisations are:

The National Flag, the Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag in the following sizes:
  • 1370 x 685 MM
  • 1830 x 915 MM
  • 2400 x 1200 MM
  • 3660 x 1830 MM
The Red Ensign
  • no larger than 1830 x 915 MM
Note: Commonwealth protocols apply and the red ensign should only be available for presentation to service-related groups.
Desktop and Hand-waver Flags

 

Where a special case exists for a flag of non-standard size or of more durable material to be ordered, a Senator or Member should consult their Advice and Support Director.

Flag Lapel Pins

Flag lapel pins of the following type and size have been approved for presentation to constituents and organisations:

The National Flag lapel pin with butterfly clip attachment
  • 15mm x 15mm size
  • Enamel Ink-filled
Note: Lapel pins can only be ordered in a minimum quantity of 10 items

Orders for flags must be made via Complete Office Supplies.

Nationhood Documents

The nationhood documents that have been approved for presentation to constituents and organisations are:

  • Booklet on the flags of Australia
  • Booklet on Australia’s national symbols
  • Compact disc and DVD recordings of the National Anthem
  • Portraits of Her Majesty The Queen and Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh.

Orders for flags and flag lapel pins must be made via Complete Office Supplies.

Wreaths

For the conduct of your parliamentary business, and subject to the limit of your annual budget for office expenses and your obligation to ensure your expenditure provides value for money, you may purchase wreaths, for example, for ceremonial purposes.

Claims for payment should be sent to Ministerial and Parliamentary Services electronically via the Parliamentary Expenses Management System (PEMS); or if PEMS is not able to be used, by completing Form 146 - Invoice Certification and Request for Reimbursement - Satellite Electorate Office, Courier or Freight Transfer Costs and Other form and include an itemised tax invoice and proof of payment.

PEMS Log On

Form 146: Invoice Certification and Request for Reimbursement - Satellite Electorate Office, Courier or Freight Transfer Costs and Other

For all items purchased from the annual budget for office expenses, invoices must clearly identify:

  • items
  • quantity
  • date of purchase
  • date of delivery, and
  • cost.

 

Relevant Links
Relevant Legislation

Last updated: 07 January 2020