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Sunday March 21, 2010

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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

  • 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

  • NO to a new flag - It's the flag our men and women fought and died for in two major wars and other small ones.

    Patrick Thursday 28 January, 2010 - 7:50 AM

  • I agree with Bill Mertins.
    There more important things than changing the flag.
    Of course many younger people will want to change, but what about everyone else, and especially those who died for country and flag.
    The Australian flag is part of our heritage do we want to destroy everything related to our heritage?
    Lets get on with running the country first, everything else should be secondary, when we have the time and money to do it.

    Dazza Wednesday 27 January, 2010 - 2:15 PM

  • Before we get heated up about a new flag we must assess first what we are. Than we we must confirm what we want to be and plan to achieve our object. If we do not get this clear in our minds the new flag in due course will show the Islamic Halfmoon. We can not be everything to everyone. Zigzaging through the economy,fiddeling around with growth policies and unclear policies for clima change is a Rudderless Course for our nation. With the completion of the Snowy Mountain Scheme subsequent Governments went into hibernation.We need management material at every level in the development of our nation. Television Props are not good enough.

    Bill Mertens Wednesday 27 January, 2010 - 12:49 PM

  • During WW1 we fought under the current flag. The poms put us in the wrong spot (Gallipoli)and cost a lot of Aussie lives. They did the same to us at the Western Front and again cost a lot of Aussie lives. During WW2 we went to their aid in Africa and Europe to help push back the Nazi's. But when we asked them to help protect us from the invading Japs from the north, they wouldn't come to the party. Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and many other deployments have been carried out by Aussie men and women without the help of the Union Jack Flying POMS. I servied in the military for 20 years and my son is a current serving member of the ADF who has seen service all over the world. Should we change the Aussie Flag? Well most of it. Leave the southern cross and commonwealth star (federation star) and replace the Union Jack with one of Australia's most symbloic emblems; The Coat of Arms (Emu & Kangaroo facing inwards). Thats who we are.

    Graham Castles Wednesday 27 January, 2010 - 12:14 PM

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