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Australian flag not lowered over parliament for Nelson Mandela’s death Australian flag not lowered over parliament for Nelson Mandela’s death
(35 minutes later)
Australia’s national flag has remained at full mast over parliament house on the day that Nelson Mandela died, in contrast to flags above Downing Street in the UK and the White House in Washington.Australia’s national flag has remained at full mast over parliament house on the day that Nelson Mandela died, in contrast to flags above Downing Street in the UK and the White House in Washington.
The prime minister’s office confirmed that Tony Abbott had not requested the flag be flown at half-mast, but added that the decision to lower the flag rested with the presiding officers of parliament.The prime minister’s office confirmed that Tony Abbott had not requested the flag be flown at half-mast, but added that the decision to lower the flag rested with the presiding officers of parliament.
On Friday morning Abbott described Mandela as “arguably one of the great figures of the last century”.On Friday morning Abbott described Mandela as “arguably one of the great figures of the last century”.
Speaking to Fairfax radio, Abbott said Mandela was a “truly great man”.Speaking to Fairfax radio, Abbott said Mandela was a “truly great man”.
He added: “While I never met him, I did read that book A Long Walk To Freedom and I guess the impression we get of Nelson Mandela is someone who suffered but was not embittered but ennobled through that suffering."He added: “While I never met him, I did read that book A Long Walk To Freedom and I guess the impression we get of Nelson Mandela is someone who suffered but was not embittered but ennobled through that suffering."
Abbott has overall control over official residences, such as a Kirribilli house, but his office would not confirm if the flags had been lowered on these residences.Abbott has overall control over official residences, such as a Kirribilli house, but his office would not confirm if the flags had been lowered on these residences.
In the United States, president Barack Obama made the decision to order the lowering of flags on US government buildings and ships at sea.In the United States, president Barack Obama made the decision to order the lowering of flags on US government buildings and ships at sea.
In France, the Eiffel Tower in Paris has been lit in the colours of the South African flag.
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