The Australian flag is seen on June 25, 2017, in Melbourne, Australia. “We had a flag that we’ve had for a long time, copied by Australia,” New Zealand's acting prime minister said.

A yellow circle in the centre for the sun. This is the design of the Aboriginal flag, which is seen all over Australia - atop bridges and buildings, painted on walls, printed on T-shirts.

Fearful that the flag would be reproduced overseas Mr Thomas sought to protect his work by seeking copyright over the design, subsequently this was granted by the Federal Court of Australia in 1997.