Many people arriving in Hervey Bay, Australia, many of whom have
worldwide travel insurance, are greeted by a national flag which is a "national disgrace", according to one local resident.
The comments were made by Russell Darcy when he spoke to the Fraser Coast Chronicle.
After many years of wear and tear, the flag which flies across from the Centro shopping centre has been almost halved in size and contains none of the stars that should be in place.
Mr Darcy told the newspaper: "It has just gradually disintegrated to the point where I thought 'I've got to say something about this'.
"What a great advertisement for our country - it's terrible."
He added he would take the flag down himself if he was able to do so.
Leonie Wright, representative of Bay Central Plaza's landlord hospitality superannuation, told the newspaper that a new flag was "in the budget" for the next financial quarter, so those arriving in the region, including those with
online travel insurance, could soon see an improved symbol.
She explained that the flag would cost thousands of Australian dollars to replace.
The six stars on Australia's flag are reminders of the country's location and are symbolic of the states and territories of the Commonwealth.
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