Our Flag is not an accessory
As we head into Australia Day it’s important to recognise and celebrate the tremendous advantages we enjoy in living in this country. We have been spared civil war and have bravely fought off likely invasion during World War Two.
But we should acknowledge that the first settlers at times brutally transplanted the indigenous peoples, and we should recognise aboriginal Australians have suffered greatly and continue to suffer, even in areas as basic as equal access to justice.
We should also acknowledge the Australia of today is a far different mix of people than it was when people of my age grew up. While too many Australians have been historically biased against those who came after them to these shores, the situation is worse now with deep-seated resentment of Moslem immigrants.
This has been fed by the populist media too ready to condemn middle eastern immigrants for failing to ‘integrate’ while failing to strongly condemn those who would wrap themselves in an Australian flag saying ‘get out we were here first’.
Well they weren’t – the aboriginal people were here first. And do those waving our flag really know or care about the protocol of respecting the flag? That it should not touch the ground, and should be carefully put away after sundown?
When I grew up the Australian flag was raised at school and it flew on the flagpoles of public buildings. That’s where I think it belongs. I also object to Australian sporting uniforms being generally available to anyone with the money to buy them.
Flags can unite and also divide. Let’s not have our flag commandeered by those who would use it to provoke confrontation. Nor should it be abused by those equally intent on confrontation.
The PM says it’s offensive that any display of the flag should be banned. He should have said ‘correct and appropriate display of the flag’. It shouldn’t be used as a wrap-around fashion accessory or a provocation to others.
The vast majority of Australians know how to respect their flag, reject its use as a nationalistic cape and importantly, acknowledge the importance of the aboriginal flag.
About Peter Andren
Peter Andren, MP was the Federal Member of Parliament for Calare in central NSW from 1996, one of three Independent Members in the House of Representatives.
He previously spent thirty years in radio and television broadcasting and three years teaching. He was a graduate of Alexander Mackie Teachers College and Macquarie University.
After entering parliament Peter led the debate on parliamentary reforms including public accountability and MPs entitlements. He challenged the government’s policies on asylum seekers, especially during the Tampa crisis, as well as questioning Australia’s involvement in Iraq.
Peter used the forum of parliament to advocate matters of human and civil rights including Native Title, abolition of mandatory sentencing and protection of the freedom of speech.
He died on 3 November 2007 after being diagnosed earlier in the year with inoperable pancreatic cancer. He was 61.
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