The Australian flag is our most important national symbol. The Union Jack is representative of British settlement and removing it from the flag will not change this fact. Indeed, the original inhabitants of the land were very fortunate it wasn’t settled by nations run by tyrannical dictators or radical Mullahs. They would have much to be sorry about if it had been!
The Commonwealth Star represents our States and Territories at Federation and the Southern Cross identifies our geographical location. It remains a guiding beacon for those who live in remote areas of the Southern Hemisphere.
During times of war our flag represented who we were. That is why Australian soldiers raised it at Kokoda after they had defeated the hitherto invincible Japanese war machine in 1942. As our veterans pass on their flag is draped over their casket for their final journey. In a previous debate on the flag one old Digger remarked, ‘I was born under the Australian flag. I fought under the Australian flag. When I die I want to be buried under the Australian flag. If you change it, forget it!’ Poignant words.
In times of plenty it is easy to forget the value of symbols that represent the spirit and identity of a nation. Our flag is paraded by our defence forces and displayed around the country at sporting events and by service organisations, schools, community groups and private citizens. Regrettably it is sometimes wrapped around drunken yobbos in pathetic displays of shallow patriotism. Freedom comes in many forms.
The Union Jack is representative of our Christian heritage and the most successful form of democratic government of out time – a Constitutional Monarchy based on elected democratic Parliaments and a separation of powers between government and the judiciary. The argument about why we would want to change such a successful system will be the subject of next week’s column.
The chattering classes are beginning to raise the volume with the election of the Rudd Labor Government. They want to say sorry for something today’s generation didn’t do, they want a republic because it provide focus to their academic waffle and they want to remove the Union Jack from our flag because it symbolises their inferiority complex.
Fortunately the majority of Australians have a healthy self-image and an abiding respect for our veterans who fought under our flag. Any government that tries to change it will pay a heavy political price at the ballot box.
Tags: Australian Flag, Monarchists, My Opinion, National Identity, Nationalism, Republicans
Your opinion is just that – an opinion. I have never been able to relate to our flag (and I WAS born under it too) because of the placement of the Union Jack on it. I have seen too many instances of the flag being used as a racial taunt to non-anglo looking Australians – one in my family on an Australia Day in Brisbane, and during the shameful Cronulla riots. It was a life changing experience for me. I now tend to avoid public places on Australia Day as the jingoism and yobbo behaviour is intimidating and frankly disturbing. Pauline Hansen tapped the anglo-aussie xenophobia in this country and we are the worse for it. I proudly fly the Scruby red, black and yellow kangaroo flag on the flagpole of my home because it better symbolises Australia to me. I look forward to the day when we celebrate a NEW Australia Day on the day our NEW republic is declared and under a NEW flag that is inclusive and which cannot be used divisively as is our current one. Whilstever the Union Jack sits there on our flag it will be a symbol of national divisiveness. The changes will happen; it is just a matter of time. Only then will be a truly independent nation. If it was up to Conservatives, non – landed gentry, women and aborigines would still not have the vote. Advance Australia.
John,
I agree with your sentiments about the use of the flag for shallow, jingoistic patriotism. It make me cringe.
But I don’t think the colour of the flag has any significance to these yobbos – they would use the ‘flag of the day’ to put their ignorance on public display.
Our pioneers and veterans who explored our country and defended our freedom often feel betrayed by those who do not have respect for the symbols that were important to them.
We will eventually have another debate on the republic – but let’s show some respect for the Queen who most regard as a remarkable and graceful monarch – and wait until she steps down from the throne.
We will also have another debate on the flag – but let’s show some respect for our veterans and our pioneers and leave it until they have departed.
Either way – I don’t think I will feel any different when I wake up in the morning after either debate.
We should also remember that it was the Conservatives who put an end to the White Australia policy and gave aborigines the right to vote.