The Australian Electoral Commission publicly advertised the controversial Australia First National Party’s intention to use the logo of the flag on its website this week. City leaders condemned the move fearing it will align Ballarat with the party's controversial policies including wiping out multiculturalism and slashing immigration.   

City of Ballarat councillor Vicki Coltman said the council would fight the proposal to the ground. She said the council planned to submit a formal objection to AEC opposing any association of the flag's symbol with the party. 

“The policies of this party do not align themselves with the people Ballarat," Cr Coltman said.“There is a direct link between Ballarat and the flag. It completely goes against everything we stand for as a city which prides itself on promoting tolerance and multiculturalism.”    

She is also pushing to restrict the flag’s usage by securing bipartisan support to protect the flag under the Flags Act. Ballarat Trades Hall secretary Brett Edgington said some of the polices held by the party were deeply disturbing and brought the ethos of the flag into disrepute.  

“There will be widespread outcry and resistance across the city to this,” Mr Edgington said. “It would be a really sad the day when a new Australian or foreign student sees the Eureka flag as something to fear.”

He anticipated the AEC would be inundated with objections from unions, historians, state and federal politicians, the council and the Australian public. 

Ballarat MP Catherine King also deplored the move saying she said would be “extremely distressed” to see it used on any far right party’s election ballot papers.

The party defended their plight online, arguing the flag is the “symbol of Australian Nationalism” and declared they are gearing up for a “culture-war over the flag be waged.”

It comes after changes made to the electoral act which allow logos on the ballot paper for the Senate.

The AEC is accepting submissions on the application until May 21.