A New South Wales renter has ignited a fierce national debate after claiming she was ordered to take down the Australian flag from her home during a routine inspection, leaving her questioning her rights and what it means to be a “true blue Aussie”.
The incident comes as another Australian homeowner faced angry flyers from neighbours for proudly displaying the national emblem.
Breeanah O’Brien took to social media in a viral video, expressing her disbelief and frustration after a real estate agent allegedly requested the removal of the national flag from her home on behald of the owner.
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“Since when has it become illegal to have an Australian flag up in Australia?” Ms O’Brien questioned in her video.
She recounted the moment the real estate agent arrived for the inspection.
“This morning, we had a routine house inspection and the first thing that (was) said when she got to the front door is ‘I’m gonna have to take this Australian flag down before I can start the inspection’.”
Breeanah O’Brien has ignited a fierce national debate after claiming she was ordered to take down the Australian flag from her home during a routine inspection.
Ms O’Brien initially complied, but the reasoning behind the request left her utterly perplexed. “Obviously she proceeded to tell me that she doesn’t have an issue with it … but the owner believes by having it up, our house might become a target.”
The renter then highlighted what she perceived as a glaring double standard, sparking further outrage online.
“All I could think in the back of my head was ‘I could almost guarantee, if that was a rainbow flag for Pride Month or if it was a Palestine flag, there is no way we’d be asked to take it down and there is no way that she would be getting up there herself to take it down’.
“I just don’t understand how that’s not allowed and that automatically means that we’ve got a target on our backs but if we had another flag up, we would be cheered and ‘oh my goodness, it’s so good that you guys are doing that’.”
Social media erupts
Ms O’Brien’s video quickly garnered significant attention, with her online followers flooding the comments section with a mix of outrage, support, and practical advice.
“Disgusting!!! I wouldn’t have taken it down!!! Change houses if need be we are in a beautiful country and be proud. If we cannot express ourselves freedom of speech then they have the problem,” one person commented, urging Ms O’Brien to stand her ground.
Another added, “This is so disappointing. Our neighbour has a memorial for veterans with an Australian flag flying on his front lawn. You should not be a target to have pride in our nation.”
Legally speaking, anyone can fly the Australian flag in a rental property.
A third commenter weighed in with a political slant: “This is what our ‘woke’ leaders have done to our country.”
However, not all reactions were purely sympathetic.
Some commenters raised genuine concerns, claiming that in certain parts of Australia, flying specific flags could indeed lead to trouble or unwanted attention.
“Guess it depends on where you live. In Cronulla and surrounding areas I was not allowed to put my flag up of ethnic origin growing up. Only the Australian flag allowed,” one user noted, highlighting regional sensitivities.
Local’s defiant stand against ‘therapy homework’ flyers
The debate around displaying the Australian flag isn’t confined to rental properties.
A Lake Macquarie local recently found herself at the centre of a similar furore after proudly flying the Aussie flag outside her home last year, much to the chagrin of some neighbours.
She received anonymous, angry flyers in her mailbox, with one particularly scathing note declaring: “your place is not a national monument, so flying a national flag is ridiculous.” Another flyer took a more personal swipe: “Get well soon. Sorry you need a large cloth emblem flying out the front to remind you what country you live in. Hope you recover from your brain injury.”
A Lake Macquarie homeowner also copped hate last year for proudly flying the Aussie flag. Source: Facebook
She received a number of hateful letters from a neighbour. Source: Facebook
The homeowner, however, was quick to respond with defiance, taking to her local Facebook page to share the “masterpiece” she’d received.
“When flying the Aussie flag sends someone into a full emotional spiral,” she shared.
“Got this masterpiece in my mailbox today – apparently my house isn’t a national monument, so I shouldn’t fly the flag.”
Her response was unequivocal: “Mate, if printing this made you feel better, I’m happy to help with your therapy homework. ️Flag’s staying up. Higher than ever.”
Renters’ rights and flag etiquette
Legally speaking, anyone can fly the Australian flag in a rental property.
However, the situation becomes more nuanced when considering the specifics of lease agreements and strata by-laws.
Landlords and building managers can enforce particular rules regarding hanging items on balconies or outside windows, primarily to prevent property damage.
Most residential leases also prohibit renters from making alterations, such as drilling holes for a flagpole, or hanging items that could mark or damage exterior walls, balconies, or rooflines.
The bottom line is, as long as the flag causes no damage to the property, Australians are generally free to display the flag.
This is provided it is flown respectfully, maintained in good condition, and never touches the ground, as per the guidelines set out by The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
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