Flag announcement: The Honourable Tom (Thomas) Ian Pauling AO KC (1946 - 2023)

The Norther Territory Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet advises that a State Memorial Service for the Honourable Tom Pauling AO KC, will take place at 4:21pm on Wednesday, 13 December 2023, at Christ Church Anglican Cathedral in Darwin, Northern Territory.

Arriving in the Northern Territory in 1970, Mr Pauling worked as barrister, where in 1988 he was named Solicitor-General of the Northern Territory serving until 2007. In September 2007, Mr Pauling was appointed as the 19th Administrator of the Northern Territory. 

Mr Pauling was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2008 for service to the Northern Territory through significant contributions to the law, particularly relating to constitutional matters, to the development of legal organisations and the promotion of professional standards, and to the community.

As a mark of mourning and respect, the Australian National Flag should be flown at half-mast all day on Wednesday, 13 December 2023 in the Northern Territory only from all buildings and establishments occupied by Australian Government departments and affiliated agencies. Other organisations are welcome to participate.

  • When flying the Australian National Flag with other flags, all flags in the set should be flown at half-mast.
  • If a set of flags includes the flags of other nations, it would be appropriate to seek permission from the diplomatic representatives of that nation to half-mast their flag. 
  • An acceptable half-mast position would be when the top of the flag is a third of the distance down from the top of the flagpole.
  • Information on flag protocol is available on the Department's website. 

Your assistance is appreciated

Commonwealth Flag Officer