Thread: The Australian Flag

Some interesting designs to contemplate, but I have some comments.

IMHO

1. If we include the aboriginal flag or any part of it, we are merely replacing the Union Flag with the Aboriginal flag. At the same time it excludes the Torres Strait Islanders and is devisive by acknowledging one group over others dependant upon when they arrived. One group having arrived 40,000 or more years ago.
2. The current coat of arms only includes representation of the 6 states and not the internal and external territories. (NT, ACT, Cocos & Keeling Islands, Christmas Island, Norfolk Island). As also suggested, the coat of arms included in the flag loses definition as the size is reduced.
3. The Australia Star/Commonwealth Star includes only 7 points, representing the 6 states + one for the territories. If the aspirations to statehood of the ACT and NT are acomplished will we need to have a nine ponted star to be inclusive? Nine points, like the coat of arms will tend towards a blob or a white sun rather than a star as the size is reduced.

BTW: My earlier reference to the "State of the Northern Territory", was a personal acknowledgement of the aspirations to statehood of Territorians. Infact on my last drive along the Stuart Highway about 30 years ago there was a roadsign on the border just near Kulgera welcoming people to the State of the ....

Originally Posted by richard4u2

the people who want the flag changed were not born nor there parents were not born in this country and they just want a flag that reminds them of the country they come from

What a lot of rubbish.

All the staunch republicans I know (who also want the flag changed) are 2nd +++ generation Australians. Some came over on the first fleet and many had relatives who fought in previous wars.

Personally I am 3rd+ generation on both sides of the family (in case you are reading this omnibus...), and I am ambivalent about changing the flag (I think there are much more important issues first), however do think it could be improved.

Contrary to your statement, most recent immigrants I have met from the UK and India are much bigger proponents for the monarchy and the flag than the average Australian.

keep your ideas flowing Stock......

Has anyone posted this one yet? I have seen several cars driving round with these stickers.

http://flagoz.com/images/flagoz_home.jpg

Interesting thread,

I consider myself reasonably well educated but much of the discussion on here has been new to me in terms of the history behind the flag etc.

Personally I love the Australian Flag. I believe it is instantly recognizable globally and so much has been achieve under that flag that it would be a travesty to change it.

The detailed historical meaning of elements of the flag is irrelevant to me.

What is relevant and important is what we as Australians do now under the flag, that will dictate the relevance of the flag for future generations.

Changing designs etc is simply wasted airtime and would no doubt mean a shed load of money gets paid to some consultants and public servants for what ?

What we have might not be perfect but in my opinion the future is more important than the past and I am not aware of the current design of the flag being a significant detriment to people getting on an making this country even better.

We as a country have done some stuff wrong but I reckon we have done more things right so I am not ashamed to be Australian and not ashamed of our flag.

Now I am a 40 yr white male, I make good living am married with 2 kids and am 3rd generation with great grand parents who came over from England so might not be a good proxy for the general populace by these are my 2c worth.

George

Originally Posted by DiscoWeb

. I believe it is instantly recognizable globally

Except when people confuse it with this one.

Originally Posted by vnx205

Except when people confuse it with this one.

If we are going to be confused with anyone then NZ is probably not that bad.

I think more would confuse their flag with ours than the other way round.

George