The National Australia Day Council wants all Australians to "fly the national flag proudly" as part of this year's Australia Day celebrations.
The council's director, Warren Pearson, said Newspoll figures showed 13.5 million Australians were expected to celebrate on January 26, and they should all fly the national flag with pride.
"More than 92 per cent of Australians have told us they are proud to be Australian and what better way to celebrate what's great about being Australian than to show the flag," Mr Pearson said.
The call comes after Australian flags were waved in a race riot by more than 5,000 people at the southern Sydney beach of North Cronulla on December 11.
On Thursday, 24-year-old Sydney man Hadi Khawaja was sentenced to three months jail for burning an Australian flag after the riot, in which people of Middle Eastern background were chased and attacked.
The Australia Day Council said it would release details of its Australia Day plans on Saturday, and Mr Pearson said the flag would be a pivotal part of the celebrations.
"Taking pride in our national flag and showing respect for everyone in our community is a wonderful way to embrace the meaning of Australia Day," Mr Pearson said.
"Flying the flag, whether it be on a flag pole or a hills hoist, on a beach towel, on a balloon, on your hat, as a fun tattoo or on your face is a great way to celebrate being Australian."
Copyright © 2006
AAP
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