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Friday September 3, 2010

What we're talking about

Ray Martin leads push for new flag

Posted by: Sydney Morning Herald | 25 January, 2010 - 8:53 AM

Former television journalist Ray Martin is leading a new push to replace the Australian flag on the eve of the country's national day.

With national leaders and ordinary Australians preparing to celebrate Australia Day on Tuesday, Martin has criticised the flag amid confirmation from Labor sources that a referendum on the republic debate will be called if Labor wins the federal election this year.

"I object to having the British flag in the corner of our flag," Martin told the Herald Sun newspaper.

"We have well and truly reached the point where we should have our own flag. I think we have to grow up and move on to the next stage."

Martin is a board member of Ausflag, an apolitical group established in 1981 to agitate for the replacement of the flag with a new design.

"I am going to add my name and voice to those who are talking the issue up and try to bring about a change," Martin said.

However, Victorian Premier John Brumby said the present flag was a symbol of resolve in bushfire-ravaged regions of Victoria.

"As is the case with many Australians, my father and grandfather served our armed forces under our flag," he said.

"I remember seeing so many Australian flags in front yards in bushfire communities; it signified resilience and defiance and gave people solace."

A Galaxy poll commissioned by News Limited has found 44 per cent of Australians are in favour of becoming a republic, with 27 per cent against.

But the same poll shows 27 per cent of people want to remove the Union Jack from the flag, while 45 per cent want to retain the present flag.

Blog comments Your Say

  • Yes to a republic. You want to live under a union jack, move to England. And Australians only voted against ht e republic casue we couldn't vote for the president directly. Most Australians want to become a republic.

    Micha Sunday 8 August, 2010 - 10:36 AM

  • my parents came to australia after ww2 and i have never thought of myself as anything but 100% australian,the debate about the flag and republic has always interested me,maybe because i am not of english heritage i do not feel the same affinity for the union jack as someone whose family originated in the u.k. a long time ago, but that does not make me any less australian! when people use the argument that our defence forces fought and died under the present flag so it should never be changed do not seem to remember that australian soldiers fought and died under the union jack in the boer war ,why was their sacrifice not recognized by refusing to adopt a new australian flag in 1901? i realise that by defeating the aboriginals and doing our best to exterminate them gives us the right to not recognize them on our national flag ,i do not have a problem with the queen of australia even if our royal family does not live here very often.

    leon zielinski Saturday 24 April, 2010 - 7:01 PM

  • RAY MARTIN. LET LOST!! PREFERABLY ON ANOTHER PLANET!

    ted deeze Saturday 24 April, 2010 - 9:42 AM

  • Ray Martin, your straw poll showed 66% to 34% AGAINST changing the flag. Only a despot would force the issue further. Likewise the 1999 Referendum showed that Australians did not want to move to a Republic. Only a despot would want to force THAT issue. I personally resent being forced to do anything. And 66% of Australians agree with me. Let's vote now: the ALP for our next totalitarian government and Ray Martin for our next Dictator. I despair!

    Ronnie George Tuesday 20 April, 2010 - 10:20 AM

  • Ray is a disgrace and should have his forehead washed. Our flag is the most beautiful flag in the world and it is here to stay. I will never fly another flag.Republican Socialists like Ray, Turnbull, Fraser, Wran and Keating should be deported to Xmas Island. They could live out their derilious days like Napoleon on St. Helens. Actually Xmas Island is too good for them, just send them to Ashmore Reef, hopefully the Indonesians will pick them up.

    Nicholas Folkes - Australian Protectionist Party Thursday 28 January, 2010 - 1:22 PM

  • No I do not agree with the change of the Australia flag. Did Ray Martin fought for our Country and Flag?? Ask all the Service women and men who have all fought for Australia, what they really think. And it is part of our Australian Heritage not to be changed.!!

    Pam Crosbie Thursday 28 January, 2010 - 11:55 AM

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