Free Republic

AUSTRALIA should get a new flag that ditches the Union Jack, according to TV presenter Ray Martin. Martin said yesterday he would lead a campaign to replace the existing "colonial" flag. "I object to having the British flag in the corner of our flag," he said. "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,"

Prime Minister John Howard has labeled a push to prevent Australian flags being taken into the Big Day Out music festival in Sydney as offensive, saying most Australians would be offended by the idea as well. "The proposition that the display of the Australian flag should ever be banned anywhere in Australia is offensive and it will be to millions of Australians," he told reporters. "The reason given at the time was quite unacceptable. They're running their own political agenda but because of public pressure, they're now backing down." One senior federal politician has demanded organisers of the Big Day...

THE New South Wales Government has urged a Sydney beachside council to rethink its decision not to fly the Australian flag over the iconic Bondi Pavilion amid suggestions the move was inspired by racial tensions. But Waverley Council's deputy mayor said Premier Morris Iemma didn't understand the facts and accused Liberal councillors of hijacking the issue for political gain. Mr Iemma today urged the council to reconsider its 6-5 vote against flying the flag over the heritage-listed building. "Our flag is a symbol of national unity and the council decision is just ridiculous, they want to reconsider it and reconsider...

PLANS to erect the Australian flag over the Bondi Beach pavilion were vetoed because of fears the symbols could incite further racial violence on Sydney's beaches. In a decision met with outrage from residents, returned servicemen and ethnic groups, Waverley Council voted six to four against the proposal, declaring Australia's most famous beach should remain clear of flags to "remove provocation". Mayor Mora Main and fellow Green George Copeland led a block of Labor councillors, including deputy mayor George Newhouse, Peter Moscatt and Ingrid Strewe, vetoing the plan by Liberal councillor Joy Clayton on December 13. The Australian flag and...

Council bans Australian flag January 02, 2006 PLANS to fly Australian flags over the famous Bondi Beach pavilion were vetoed because of fears the symbols could incite more racial violence on Sydney's beaches. In a decision met with outrage from locals, returned servicemen and ethnic groups, Waverley Council voted 6-5 against the proposal, declaring the popular beach should remain clear of flags to "remove provocation"...