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Queensland Parliament House flies Australian flag upside down

Queenslanders were left scratching their heads after spotting a major error outside Parliament House in Brisbane.

Sydney Harbour lit up in colours of Indian flag

Queenslanders were left scratching their heads after spotting a major error outside Parliament House in Brisbane.

The upside down flag was seen billowing in the wind atop of Queensland’s Parliament House on George Street on Monday morning.

While a upside down flag is universally understood to be a sign of distress, there did not appear to be any distress in the state. 

Queensland must be in dire straits as an upside down flag flies outside Queensland’s Parliament House. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Glenn Campbell
Queensland must be in dire straits as an upside down flag flies outside Queensland’s Parliament House. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Glenn Campbell
Flying the Australian flag is not appropriate, according to the federal government. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Glenn Campbell
Flying the Australian flag is not appropriate, according to the federal government. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Glenn Campbell

The upside down flag could also mean there is an extreme threat of danger to life and property.

Queensland’s Parliament House confirmed it was simply a case of human error on a windy day causing the chaos.

Other flags seem to be flying the right way up. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Glenn Campbell
Other flags seem to be flying the right way up. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Glenn Campbell

“Today the flag become undone due to the wind and was inadvertently hung upside for approximately half an hour before the issue was resolved,” a parliament spokeswoman said.

Thankfully everything was made right once again.

It comes as the legal affairs and safety committee and the parliamentary crime and corruption committee were holding private meetings on Monday.

The Australian Government’s own department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet instructs all flag raisers to never fly the flag upside down, even as a signal of distress.

Originally published as Queensland Parliament House flies Australian flag upside down

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/breaking-news/queensland-parliament-house-flies-australian-flag-upside-down/news-story/1c49c9d8c428c95c710d2957bfd757cb