A large majority of Australians (61%) want to retain the current National Flag, but down 5% from 2010

A clear majority of Australians, 61% (but down 5% points since 2010) believe Australia should keep the current National Flag while only 39% (up 10% points) say Australia should have a new design for our National Flag.

This special Roy Morgan SMS Poll was conducted by SMS on Tuesday October 22, 2024 and Wednesday October 23, 2024, with an Australia-wide cross-section of 1,312 Australians. The survey was conducted as King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s first visit to Australia as reigning monarchs came to an end.

Australians were asked: “Do you think Australia should have a new design for our National Flag or not?”

At the same time Australians were asked about their views on the retention of the Monarchy. A majority of Australians, 57% (down 3% points since September 2022) believe Australia should remain a Monarchy while only 43% (up 3% points) say Australia should become a Republic with an elected President.

For more detail on Australian views on the Monarchy view the Roy Morgan website here.

Women are slightly more likely to support retaining the National Flag than men

Analysis of the results by gender shows 63% of women favour retaining the current National Flag compared to only 37% that say Australia should have a new design for our National Flag.

Three-fifths of men (60%) favour retaining the current National Flag compared to two-fifths (40%) that say Australia should have a new design for our National Flag.

A majority of Australians of all ages favour retaining the current National Flag

Analysis by age shows Australians of all ages are in favour of retaining the current National Flag. Support is strongest among Australians aged 50+.

Young Australians under 35 are the most evenly split with 55% in favour of retaining the current National Flag compared to 45% that say Australia should have a new design for our National Flag.

Australians aged 35-49 are more heavily in favour of the current National Flag with 59% favouring the current National Flag compared to 41% that say Australia should have a new design for the Flag.

Support for retaining the current National Flag is highest amongst Australians aged 50-64 at 67% - over two-thirds of Australians, and for those of us aged 65+ at 64%. Only around a third of Australians in these age groups say Australia should have a new design for our National Flag.

Coalition & One Nation voters want to retain the Flag, ALP & Greens voters want a new one

There is clear support for retaining the National Flag from over three-quarters of Liberal voters (76%), National voters (97%) and One Nation voters (89%).

In contrast, a majority of ALP voters (56%) and a large majority of Greens voters (72%) say that Australia should have a new design for our National Flag.

Australians refer to supporting tradition, the historical significance and heritage, a strong attachment to the current Flag, concerns about change and costs as a reason to keep the current Flag.

As a follow-up question, respondents were then asked: “And why do you say that?”

For those in favour of retaining the current National Flag there were several key themes that emerged:

Key Trends for those advocating retaining the current National Flag

1. Strong Attachment to the Current Flag
   • Prevalence of Support: A large share of respondents have a strong attachment to the current flag using phrases like "I like our flag," "Nothing wrong with the current flag," and "Current flag is perfectly fine”.
   • Common Phrasing: Phrases such as "If it's not broken, don't fix it," and "No need to change" are repeated multiple times, indicating a clear consensus of many.
     
     
2. Historical Significance and Heritage
   • Cultural Connections: Many respondents highlight the historical importance of the flag, referencing its ties to British heritage and the sacrifices made by veterans. Statements like "People fought and died for this flag" and "Many of our forefathers died for that flag" to underscore this sentiment.
   • Veteran Acknowledgment: A significant number of responses specifically mention veterans and soldiers, emphasising the flag’s role as a symbol of honour and sacrifice: "Our ANZACS fought and died under this flag," and "Blood has been sacrificed for our current flag."
     
     
3. Concerns Over Change and Costs
   • Scepticism About Alternatives: There are many respondents that express scepticism towards proposed alternative flag designs, with comments like "None of the alternatives look good" and "All flag designs proposed have been underwhelming."
   • Economic Considerations: A significant share of respondents’ voice concerns about the financial implications of changing the flag, emphasising the waste of taxpayer money: "Why waste taxpayer funds for the sake of fashion?" and "Changing it would be costly."
     
     
4. Desire for Unity and National Identity
   • One Flag Philosophy: A meaningful share of respondents advocate for maintaining a single national flag, as seen in phrases like "We only need one flag" and "It's our flag." This reflects a desire for unity among Australians.
   • Cultural Representation Concerns: There was a share of respondents who mentioned apprehensions about prioritising one group’s representation over others, with comments like "The concept of having team black and yellow to appease the Aboriginal vote turns my stomach," highlighting a fear of divisiveness.
     
     
5. Support for Tradition
   • Preference for Continuity: Tradition was a popular sentiment among many comments reinforcing the idea that the current flag represents Australia's past, present, and future: "Our flag already represents our history, our today, and our future," and "The Flag represents tradition... real tradition."

Key Trends of those advocating for a new design for the Flag

Australians advocating for a new design refer to a desire for independence from colonial ties, the incorporation of our indigenous heritage and a reflection of the multicultural society we’ve become as well as frustration with the current design and calls for a new and revamped national identity.

1. Desire for Independence from Colonial Ties
   • Rejection of colonial symbols: There is strong support among Australians for the removal of the Union Jack from the flag, reflecting a strong sentiment against colonial symbols.
   • Key Quotes: "Colonial ties to the UK are an embarrassment" and "We are no longer part of the empire."
     
     
2. Incorporation of Indigenous Heritage
   • The importance of recognising indigenous Australians: A large share of Australians call for the proper recognition of indigenous Australians in the flag design, emphasising the importance of including Aboriginal colours or symbols.
   • Key Quotes: "Indigenous representation is essential" and "We need to incorporate our Indigenous history to heal as a nation."
     
     
3. Reflection of a Multicultural Society
   • Australia is a multicultural society: Many advocates for a redesigned Flag call for the Flag to reflect Australia’s multicultural identity, moving beyond British symbolism.
   • Key Quotes: "The flag should represent the multicultural society that we have become" and "It should represent Australia for all those born here."
     
     
4. Frustration with Current Design
   • Current design is boring and too much like New Zealand: There is widespread dissatisfaction with the current flag, with many asserting it is “boring” or “not distinctive enough” and that it is often confused with other nations' flags (e.g., New Zealand).
   • Key Quotes: "Current flag can be confused with flags of several other countries" and "It does not represent a large portion of our country."
     
     
5. Calls for a New National Identity
   • Australia needs a new identity: Many advocate for a new flag design that symbolises a fresh start and independence, especially in light of potential republicanism.
   • Key Quotes: "Time for something more distinctive" and "A new beginning that would include our Indigenous heritage."
     
     
6. Desire for Simplicity and Recognition
   • A simpler design would be better: A simpler design that is easily recognisable, avoiding overly complex symbols while ensuring it embodies key Australian values.
   • Key Quotes: "A flag more representative of our diversity would be better" and "We need an instantly recognisable flag that reflects Australia today."
     
     
7. Generational perspectives and differences on the Flag
   • There are generational divisions when it comes to re-designing the flag: Younger respondents are far more likely to express the need for a change than older respondents, although all age groups are opposed in majority.
   • Key Quote from many younger Australians: "The Union Jack is outdated and irrelevant.” Is a sentiment shared by many younger Australians and reflects a generational divide in perspectives on colonial symbols.

Michele Levine, CEO of Roy Morgan, says:

This special Roy Morgan SMS Poll was conducted by SMS from Tuesday October 22, 2024 – Thursday October 24, 2024, with an Australia-wide cross-section of 1,313 Australians aged 18+.

Australians were asked: “Do you think Australia should have a new design for our National Flag or not?”

Respondents were then asked: “And why do you say that?”

To purchase full demographic breakdowns by Gender, Age, City/Country including Voting Intention and detailed quantitative and qualitative verbatim responses to the open-ended questions relating to how Australians view the Monarchy or a potential Republic for $9,800 contact Morgan Poll Manager Julian McCrann. By Email: julian.mccrann@roymorgan.com. By Phone: 9224 5365.

For further comment or more information contact:
Michele Levine 0411 129 093 or Gary Morgan 0411 129 094 or email: askroymorgan@roymorgan.com.