This symbolises the maritime origins of New South Wales, with seafarers relying upon the Southern Cross to navigate the seas, and the role of the navy in protecting the State.

[citation needed] The state badge was designed by the Colonial Architect James Barnet and Captain Francis Hixson, a retired Royal Navy officer.

[3] In the mid-1990s, a series of proposals to redesign the New South Wales state flag emerged, gaining significant public attention in the lead-up to the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The Herald argued that the flag designed served "a British rather than a NSW purpose" and failed to resonate with modern New South Wales' cultural identity and heritage.

[5] A 1996 Herald AGB-McNair poll revealed that only 12% of New South Wales residents could accurately describe the existing flag, highlighting a potential lack of public attachment to its symbols.

[4] In response to the debate, proponents suggested introducing legislation to authorize a public referendum on the flag redesign, potentially aligning the vote with the 1999 state election.