Why flags at half-mast?

It’s for the dollar.

Did he died?

johnboy said :

my understanding is we just follow the federales on these things.

This from from the Commonwealth Flag Officer:

“As a mark of mourning and respect and in accordance with protocol, the Australian National Flag should be flown at half-mast all day on Friday 23 September 2011 in the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland only from all buildings and establishments occupied by Australian Government departments and affiliated agencies. Other organisations in the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland are welcome to participate.”

Buzz2600 said :

Thanks – I was wondering the same this morning on the way to work.

I note that the flags I saw weren’t actually at half mast – more like 3/4 mast. Is this protocol or just someone with poor spacial skills and/or a half-arsed attitude to these things?

Advice given for NSW departments is always:

Advice for flying of flags at half-mast is that the flag should be lowered sufficiently to allow space for an imaginary flag to fly above the lowered flag

Unsure if the feds follow the same rules

Buzz2600 said :

Thanks – I was wondering the same this morning on the way to work.

I note that the flags I saw weren’t actually at half mast – more like 3/4 mast. Is this protocol or just someone with poor spacial skills and/or a half-arsed attitude to these things?

according to http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au which has the say in flag usage and flying protocols

The half-mast position will depend on the size of the flag and the length of the flagpole. The flag must be lowered to a position recognisably half-mast to avoid the appearance of a flag which has accidentally fallen away from the top of the flagpole. An acceptable position would be when the top of the flag is a third of the distance down from the top of the flagpole.

So provided it doesn’t look like it has slipped a little it’s fine

Thanks – I was wondering the same this morning on the way to work. I note that the flags I saw weren’t actually at half mast – more like 3/4 mast. Is this protocol or just someone with poor spacial skills and/or a half-arsed attitude to these things?

my understanding is we just follow the federales on these things.

your google link is for the Australian Flag not the ACT flag.

Could be for Dr Peter Sharp AM – The medical director of Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service.

Yup more info here

FYI Googling “Commonwealth flag 23 september 2011” got me the answer