should Australia change its flag

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   bonny2010posted 14 years ago

   i don't believe we should, it is the flag that we became a nation under. it isour history so why change it.

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      cosetteposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      i have always loved Australia's flag. i love that the Southern Cross is depicted on it. it is one of the most beautiful flags, actually. why should a country change its flag because of some isolated incidents? that's ridiculous.

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         bonny2010posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         thanks cosette I love this flag, but this question started a longtime ago. the people who started have their reasons and I respectthem, but I don't agree with them

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   Sab Ohposted 14 years ago

   Who is talking about changing it, and why?

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      bonny2010posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      the latest  is ray martin a news presenter - a need for change is the reason

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   aka-djposted 14 years ago

   I think it's to do with the alleged racism. A few Indian students have been assaulted, and one was stabbed (to death) in Melbourne recently.
   Now, all of a sudden the WHOLE of Australia is racist.
   That's called stereotyping isn't it?

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      skyfireposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      And the worst part is there is lot of racism,regionalism,religion issues already in india. I call that hypocrisy of people in my country.

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      bonny2010posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      i personally don't understand racism - to me its the person who accusses you of being a racist is the racist - everyone shouldbe allowed their own opinions providing they aren't  abusive, but here you just have to disagree with somepeople and you are a racist.  but in answer aka-dj  - the desire to change the flag was not to do with the assaults - its a decades old argument.
      Skyfire I call it hypocrisy over here too.

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   Greg Cremiaposted 14 years ago

   It should be up to the citizens. Let them vote.
   
   And it has nothing to do with racism. Some want it changed because it looks like the British flag, a remnant of the days of colonialism.

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      bonny2010posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      thats part of the reason, but i believe we shouldkeep itbecause this isour history and its a reminder of what we went through  and how we conquered the extremes to grow into a nation of which I am proudof.

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   saltposted 14 years ago

   On the indian question, I feel sometimes that they are projecting their own stuff on us. India has a crime rate of 2.8 per 100000 and australia 1.3 by the same measure.
   
   There are a number of people killed in australia not all are reported in the manner the indian deaths are.
   
   On the flag, I like the current flag and do hope we move towards a new one in the future, yet I dont think rushing it for the sake of being something new or different to what we were yesterday is the answer.
   
   I like seeing the Aboriginal flag and the australian flag as Cathy Freeman had them in the Olympics.
   
   I think steps need to be taken carefully here, as I am unsure that I like the idea of a republic that could star Tony Abbotts army.. etc.. I think we have to change things like the constitution to create a preamble or acknowledgement of the aboriginal people and a treaty for them to feel that we really do acknowledge them and their culture and their life experiences.
   
   I feel working towards a republic is a good idea, but not at the expense of good administration. Making good changes to the legal and other systems seems more appropriate than changing the color of the flag.
   
   Similarly, the national anthem. I would love to see us eventually incorporate something special for the aboriginal people of australia as well as acknowledging our diverse people.
   
   I do not think all is bad here. We are a very lucky people. Creating a republic is a stepping stone to be taken one step at a time. I dont want to live in China. I do not want politicians creating a republic just to increase their belief in party political power. The real power of good government is good government, not manipulation of the citizens for personal or family or factional gain.
   
   just quickly on the indian thing, I do not wish racial attacks on anyone.
   
   I do note though that australia is not india and I think sometimes indian students do not understand that they may have cultural differences that we are not used to. It often takes a generation, when a new larger percentage of the population from a different culture settles.. so, give australians a go. We are not bad people, stop dishing us.

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      bonny2010posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      on the assaults -not good, but who said they were australians, last time esomething like this happened it turned out to be their own kind -  a ploy by unintelligent political mischiefmakers.  As for the aboriginal question - I prefer to remain mute on that subject, there are too many undercurrents there and as for the flag "if its not broken why fix it: besides in these times, Ithink we need to show we respect our past good and bad.

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   Eaglekiwiposted 14 years ago

   They face this same question every year in New Zealand too ( and our flag is similar to Aussies)...
   I personally would like NZ's flag changed ,as at the moment its too much like Great Britian with the Union jack dominating the flag , so although like Australia ,New Zealand is thousands of miles away from Britian and her head of states ( Queen Elizabeth) I think its long overdue we cut the apron strings...
   
   As usual its a political thing

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      bonny2010posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      if wecut the apron strings - in times of danger we may find ourselves standing alone - there are a lot of commonwealth countries out there who have to help us whether they like it or not because atpresent we are part of the commonwealth

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   JUAN DE LA RIBERAposted 14 years ago

   As a Brit please excuse me for entering this discussion but I think it fair to point out some things re flags. Firstly half the English think the Union Jack is an English Flag, not that of Great Britain, every nationality has it´s fair share of pompous ignorant plebs, thus I would think that those down under from English stock might think the same.
   Flags also remind people of the heritage they have with all the good points and bad associated with it. Antipodean history cannot be re-written by changing a Flag and a reminder of what was done wrong in history, to me is a good thing. Also those of the older generations took pride in their country, fought, suffered and died for it, the symbol of that country? It´s flag. Yes if enough people want to severe all ties with "The Old Country" or are worried that the present flag might give the impression that you are a branch of the repressive colonial regime, change the flag.
   It´s your´s not mine, but please make sure it is something of which you and future generations can be proud of. Whatever flag is adopted, you´re Aussies, Diggers and a bloody good group of people on the whole.

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      bonny2010posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Juan you said it all thank you.

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   thirdmilleniumposted 14 years ago

   Australians are none too happy to be under a British administrator at least in name. And, that rattles them and rightly so, after all these years. And, the flag has too much of Britain in it.
   
   None of this has anything to do with racism or Indians.
   It is amazing the Indian issue is thrust into this discussion.
   
   Anyway, it is up to the Australians to decide. May be a plebiscite will be in order.

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      bonny2010posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      i agree with you concerningthe indiansand racism = thank you

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   thirdmilleniumposted 14 years ago

   And, as far as Indian issue is concerned, there have been some 150 assaults on Indians but NOT even one such despicable thing happened to any other nationals.
   
   You decide.

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      bonny2010posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      they happen all the time to aussies - a lot get covered up because of the legal aid laws.

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    Eaglekiwiposted 14 years ago

    I guess the main point I was trying to make was
    
    Let countries be truly automanous and choose for themselves ,yes many Kiwis fought under the British flag but I dont see New Zealand represented on Englands flag? ,if ya get my drift.
    
    Even the United states have individual flags for each state
    
    So Im voting NZ and Aussie get rid of the Union jack..not that a change of flag will erase racism , no , hell nooooo

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       bonny2010posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       an old kimerley elder once told me that racism was inthe eyes of the beholder.

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    saltposted 14 years ago

    I am thankful for what I read from others. On the republic issue, I dont think cutting the strings is the best motivation, we have good friendships and other links with Britain, Ireland, Scotland and many other nations. I am proud to be australian. I am proud of my heritage and learning about history. Britain was invaded too and many of our pasts are touched by invasion in one era or another, so understanding and moving past conquer and conquest may be the key...

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    Eaglekiwiposted 14 years ago

    But cutting the strings doesnt mean cutting the friendship, it does mean we are grown up now though  and should be free to be Independant and welcome the challenge

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    sneakorocksolidposted 14 years ago

    I didn't know they had a flag. Who made it for them? Must have been a Kiwi.

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       Eaglekiwiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       yer a brave man 

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          sneakorocksolidposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          No, not at all! I'm hoping I'm off the radar!

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             Eaglekiwiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             Oh ok but it didnt make much sense is all.

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                sneakorocksolidposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                Just my normal non-sense.

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                   Eaglekiwiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                   Oh good I have days like those too

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    Flightkeeperposted 14 years ago

    I don't understand this thread.  How did the murder of an Indian student end up into changing the national flag?

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       Eaglekiwiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Guess youd need to read the original post and a forum being what it is evolves thus

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    Mamelodyposted 14 years ago

    I lived in Australia for seven years and those were seven of the worst years of my life. I experienced extreme racism, hatred and almost died several after being attacked just because I had a different skin color...
    
    forget flag changing... change the whole country!

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       A Texanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       

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       bonny2010posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       thats sad mamelody guessyou have reason to feel that way - but this happens everywhere not just australia.

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       yenajeonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       My friend as well has experienced lots of anti-asian racism in Australia. I'm not exactly sure why? Is it because of the large amount of immigrants taking jobs? It was so bad she left (U of Melbourne) and transferred to the US
       
       I am actually very curious now and am researching it lol, could someone explain the cause/origin for this apparent rampant racism toward Asians?
       Thanks

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    marcel285posted 14 years ago

    Not until Australia can stand on it's own two feet.
    
    Speaking of Australia, i watched something on TV last night about it. This old man was running a campaign to try get the national anthem changed to waltzing Matilda! LOL It was hilarious. It was clearly his favorite song, he got 50 votes.

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       bonny2010posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       i saw it too good on him for following his drream - personally I can't stand the song - it smacks of loser,  why take your own life over a sheep - if you that dedicated to independence why not go down fighting- that was more the australian spirit.

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          Eaglekiwiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          I agree with ya there Bonny , why some Aussies would chant a song about a sheep stealer I never could figure ..

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             bonny2010posted 14 years agoin reply to this

             squatter  snobbeery   mate -  it was written by Banjo Patterson - i like his poetry by the way  -  I remember when I was at school, now I am showing my age, yeap back in the days when armstrong first walked on the moon - anyway there was no way an old bushman or working class bloke or woman would acknowledge that song as anything other than a good drinking song.

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    shazwellynposted 14 years ago

    ABSOLUTELY NOT!

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       bonny2010posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Cool -

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    marcofratelliposted 14 years ago

    Nope. Flag stays the same. Nation stays a monarchy. That part's not broken, so don't fix it. But we should change are our attitude and tall poppy syndrome. Free speech fair enough, but I think people just jump on bandwagons just because. We need people that are strong enough to say NO generally, when things start to get out of hand.

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    ASHWINSPGAposted 14 years ago

    Good Morning Hubbers,
    if i remember correctly the last time a vote was taken to see if Australian wanted to become a republic, 46% voted yes and 54% voted no. It looks like the majority of Australians themselves don't want any changes for the moment and and rather remain with the British empire.

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