In
1865 the Imperial Parliament passed the Colonial Naval Defence Act, it permitted the colonies of Australia to possess and operate ships of war.
This led to the requirement of ensigns (flags) that would distinguish the origin of all vessels belonging
to, or permanently in the service of, Colonial Governments.
The colonies were advised by the Imperial Parliament to adopt flags based on the British Blue Ensign, with their colony
seal or badge positioned in the fly.
The Blue Ensign is a navy blue flag with the Union Flag or Union Jack, of Great Britain, in the upper hoist (upper left corner).
In 1875, the British Colonial Office approved the design for the state badge of Tasmania, a red lion passant
(in a walking position) on a white shield.
The Governor of Tasmania originally proclaimed the Tasmanian flag on the 25th of September 1876, but it wasn’t officially adopted until the 3rd of December 1975. Slight modifications were made to the lion in 1975. |
