Twelve former Australians of the Year have banded together to call for a new national flag.

Ausflag, a non-profit organisation which aims to secure popular support for the adoption of a new national flag released a statement today urging the Federal Parliament to begin a process to design a "truly Australian national flag'' that can then be put to an official vote.

"Our new flag must be unambiguously and inclusively Australian, representing all of us equally," said the statement signed by Australians of the Year dating back to the 1960s, including Olympians Dawn Fraser and Shane Gould and fellow sporting greats Evonne Goolagong and Robert de Castella, as well as scientists Sir Gustav Nossal and Prof Ian Frazer and Seekers lead singer Judith Durham.

Ausflag chairman Hon Robert Webster said: "This is a turning point in the flag debate and in our history. Some of Australia's most distinguished citizens have now formally and openly embraced the call for a new flag."

"It's now time to design a flag - Our Own Flag - as unique and powerful as the flags of the United States, Canada, New Guinea and South Africa, all of which were once dominated by the Union Jack."

According to Ausflag, Australia's current flag, only formally adopted in 1954, to replace the Union Jack, still highlights and promotes the flag of another nation.

"It is a transitional symbol, representing a stepping stone to a truly Australian flag."

However, many Australian politicians are opposed to any plans to change the Australian flag, despite calls from Australians of the Year to do just that.

Among them Victoria Premier Ted Baillieu has already expressed his opposition to the idea.

Mr Baillieu said he believes Australia Day is a time to honour our traditions and flag not discuss changes, despite a dozen former Australians of the Year calling for a vote on a new national flag, saying the current one "promotes another nation".

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen believes the Australian flag design,w hich is supported by the "vast majority" of Australians, should not be changed.

"Every Australian is entitled to their point of view," he told reporters in Sydney today.

"From my point of view, I think our flag, which has the support of so many Australians, is worthy of ... being the ongoing flag of Australia."