Shadow Home Affairs Minister Andrew Hastie has pledged to restore respect and pride in the Australian flag following widespread disappointment over its treatment at recent protests.
Mr Hastie criticised the display of non-Australian flags on the Sydney Harbour Bridge last weekend and the burning of the national flag during a pro-Palestine rally in Melbourne. The demonstrations saw signs and flags opposing Israel, including some allegedly supporting Hamas, and sparked police investigations into alleged death chants, terrorist flags, and Nazi symbols.
Speaking on Sky News Australia, Mr Hastie said many Australians were “disappointed” to see the national symbol demeaned. He launched a campaign called Together Under One Flag to encourage Australians to publicly show gratitude for what the flag represents. Free bumper stickers are available for those who wish to join the movement and display their pride.
“More than 100,000 Australians in the last 100-plus years have died under this flag. It’s very, very important,” said Mr Hastie, a former Special Air Service Regiment Troop Commander. He emphasised the flag’s significance, flying alone above the Commonwealth Parliament and draping the coffins of fallen soldiers.
“I’m not a fan of ISIS flags, of course, or any of those other flags that we’ve seen flown on our streets over the last few years, but the Australian national flag is the only flag that speaks to all the aspirations of all Australians,”
he added.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the “deplorable” actions of protesters who burned the flag and spray-painted “Abolish Australia” during Melbourne’s CBD rally. Despite public outrage, Australia currently has no law criminalising flag burning, prompting calls from Victoria’s Opposition to introduce protest permit systems.
Federal MP Phillip Thompson, himself a veteran, described the burning of Australian flags as “disgusting” and launched an urgent bid to outlaw the practice.
The recent protests and flag controversies have reignited debate over national identity, respect for symbols, and how Australia should respond to public demonstrations involving the flag. However, there is currently no law in Australia that specifically prohibits the burning of the national flag.
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