Should the Australian flag be changed?

[SSD-85]

I think Waltzing Matilda invokes more emotion and aussie pride in me.

[nugget378]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Does anyone realise how much money it will cost the economy to change the flag???????

not a problem there Norm, we could just put the company tax rate up to 60%, or we could leave it at 30, but make it payable before lerks and perks(cough investements) are deducted

[Ducati888]

Originally Posted by MAD

Let me first say I am definitely not pro-British, but I am also definitely not anti-British, nor am I in any sense religious.

Forgive me if I'm wrong but I thought our culture was built from British rule and one of predominantly christian beliefs.

'
You are not wrong, but why would our flag need to represent what we were, rather than what we are now, in 2010? History doesn't stop at a fixed point in time.

Let's move on.

I don't hate the Brits either, I'm relatively indifferent to them as I am to anyone else. It's not an anti Brit argument, it's more a point of view that we are Australia in 2010, and our flag looks like crap compared to some other real gems out there.

[Brent]

Originally Posted by nugget378

not part of my ancestry Brent, in fact half my family tree is from those sent here fighting the english for their freedom, the other half has no connection whatsoever.

While its not a big issue to me, I voted yes, I reckon we are our own country and can (and be seen too) stand on our own..

Not suggesting for one moment that every family here in Aus has its roots in the British Empire. In fact, my family doesn't either. There are exceptions everywhere. However, on balance, our history has its roots and origins from British settlement. My wife is from Irish heritage, and believe me, those guys had no love affair with the Brits either, but you don't go changing a flag because of it. Totally the wrong motivation IMO.

[MAD]

Originally Posted by Ducati888

'
You are not wrong, but why would our flag need to represent what we were, rather than what we are now, in 2010? History doesn't stop at a fixed point in time.

Let's move on.

I don't hate the Brits either, I'm relatively indifferent to them as I am to anyone else. It's not an anti Brit argument, it's more a point of view that we are Australia in 2010, and our flag looks like crap compared to some other real gems out there.

Quote again "which embrace their population and their culture."
That IS our culture.

History and culture doesnt change with the times.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Scotty85

I think Waltzing Matilda invokes more emotion and aussie pride in me.

Really? A guy stealing a sheep invokes aussie pride....yeah Australia doesn't get enough ribbing about being full of crims. lol

[Melz]

Originally Posted by vztrt

Really? A guy stealing a sheep invokes aussie pride....yeah Australia doesn't get enough ribbing about being full of crims. lol

Well you know convicts and all....

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Melz

Well you know convicts and all....

lol, i'll be more careful with my wallet.

[SSD-85]

Originally Posted by vztrt

Really? A guy stealing a sheep invokes aussie pride....yeah Australia doesn't get enough ribbing about being full of crims. lol

Well given thats how colonised australia started out as. Nothing but a piece of land to stick more crims because gaols in Britain were full. So yes i am aware what the song is about. The same could be said for Ned Kelly, a criminal seen as a great Australian hero...

Either way its a lot better than the spineless dribble we have at present.

[Brent]

Taking a wider scope for a moment, one of the things here that worries me is that when you scratch the surface, a lot of the driving motivations to change the flag are driven not so much to make the country tangibly better, but to push a thinly disguised political barrow e.g. my family isn't British; we fought the Brits; they have a poor history of oppression; what about the Aboriginies? etc.......inevitably, this stuff always comes to the surface. Maybe they're legitimate points, but should be argued in a completely different forum.

Any desire to change the flag driven by political agendas or personal axe grinding is a totally inappropriate reason to change it.

[Ducati888]

Originally Posted by MAD

Quote again "which embrace their population and their culture."
That IS our culture.

History and culture doesnt change with the times.

Huh? Culture very much does change with the times. We don't still burn people at the stake for being a witch, or murder people for being the wrong race or religion (well, we don't in Australia much, anyway).

Have you had a good look at the crimes against humanity that Britain has undertaken over the last thousand years? It's on a par with the Catholic church and the Nazis. If that's the foundation of our culture, then I think we should take a good hard look at ourselves.

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by MAD

Quote again "which embrace their population and their culture."
That IS our culture.

History and culture doesnt change with the times.

How does having the St. George, St Andrews & St Patrick's cross being on our flag represent our culture ..... and most here wouldn't even know what the Jack represent! Why should this represent out history & culture? Is this all we have here? Sad if it is really.



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[4Vman]

Once you start to break down the very fabric and foundations this country was built on you give opportunity for something less than favourable to infiltrate our society.....

I can tell you without any doubt there is a constant silent underswell of nasties slowly but surely trying to take over.....

[MRFGXR6]

I personally believe we should leave it alone. Much blood has been spilt over this flag to defend what it stands for, that inevitably is the great land of Australia and our great life we here lead. Like it or hate it this flag is part of us. This topic arises every year with the same result-it doesn't change. If you don't like it then leave!

[Scott]

I think it should be put to referendum at the election this year, winner take all.

Vote 1 - Leave it
Vote 2 - Version A
Vote 3 - Version B
.
.
.
.
.
Vote 255 - Version IU

[Melz]

Originally Posted by GTP006

I think it should be put to referendum at the election this year, winner take all.

Vote 1 - Leave it
Vote 2 - Version A
Vote 3 - Version B
.
.
.
.
.
Vote 255 - Version IU

You forgot the Version A.2 - where it is very much like version A.. but not quite

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by GTP006

I think it should be put to referendum at the election this year, winner take all.

Vote 1 - Leave it
Vote 2 - Version A
Vote 3 - Version B
.
.
.
.
.
Vote 255 - Version IU

Do we have to register with the electoral comission guys to vote in a referendum?

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by XCPWSF

Do we have to register with the electoral comission guys to vote in a referendum?

You're not enrolled??

By the way yes.

[Geez Louise]

Knew I shouldnt have subscribed to this thread,,,my email just went into meltdown...

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

You're not enrolled??

By the way yes.

Nah, not interested in politics so I keep away and don't waste my time voting. Here I mearly voice my opinion on the matter.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by XCPWSF

Nah, not interested in politics so I keep away and don't waste my time voting. Here I mearly voice my opinion on the matter.

No problems, i take it you'll never complain ever again about taxes, road rules, police etc?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

No problems, i take it you'll never complain ever again about taxes, road rules, police etc?

I will, but whats one vote in the whole scheme of things?

[GTpilot]

Originally Posted by XCPWSF

http://www.ausflag.com.au/flag_concepts.asp



I quite like it.

Reminds me of the Aboriginal Flag (proudly brought to you by Qantas, The sprit of Australia)

In all seriousness, Leave it as is, to even suggest to change it IMHO, just shows a lack of respect for the country you live in.

[RG]

Originally Posted by XCPWSF

Nah, not interested in politics so I keep away and don't waste my time voting. Here I mearly voice my opinion on the matter.

Unless you are enrolled your opinion counts for 2/10ths of stuff all.

[MethodX]

yes change it, does nothing for me and a fair slice of the population, having the union Jack on it.
btw didnt the soldiers fight under a red version?
And why are they the only ppl thought of? yes they should be respected, but they arent the only members of Aus society.

Canada is a great example, the world didnt cave in when they changed flag.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by XCPWSF

I will, but whats one vote in the whole scheme of things?

Show some interest in your future and current state of play, if you're prepared to complain then take the time to understand how and why and make a difference...

Quite apart from the fact you'll get a fine when they catch up with you eventually...

[GS608]

Originally Posted by XCPWSF

I will, but whats one vote in the whole scheme of things?

and if there are 100 people who think like you there's 100 votes down the drain..it matters a lot..isn't it illegal to not register to vote if you're eligible? or is that just not voting if you're registered?

Leave it the way it is, too much trouble to change it and why would you want to destroy the relationship with Britain? A very good ally to have even today.

A flag isn't about representing modern Australia, it's something historic, the southern cross has significant importance here, even if it is on other flags, same with the commonwealth star, we are still the Commonwealth of Australia. People need to stop whinging about the aboriginals not being recognised in the flag as well, If it wasn't for the English settlers then who knows they may not have advanced at all.

Someone on the radio made a good point today though, if it is changed then we should use the coat of arms, with the roo and emu, moving forward as a country.

[nugget378]

Originally Posted by XCPWSF

I will, but whats one vote in the whole scheme of things?

Not much at all really the way the electoral system works.

[gtxb67]

Originally Posted by XCPWSF

Working Class Man - Jimmy Barnes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiEycVMKoJo
i do like this version, but i will stick with the current flag and anthem
it would be pathetic if we chose a song about a thief to be our national anthem
if the flag has to be changed, as long as it stays red, white and blue i would be happy
but a green and gold one - why, it would look like someone barfed on it (i guess that does sum up our culture)
and red, black and yellow - they are not our colours
the current flag depicts our heritage, our location and our states and territories, i cannot understand why it is not relevant

why change for the sake of it

[pks54]

[QUOTE=Ducati888]

Originally Posted by Geez Louise

Er. no. Just because she is our Queen does not mean that she rules us. The British government has no say, nor any control over Australia and the monarchy has no control or say over Australia either. In fact, the monarchy has no say over the British government either other than being just a figurehead reference..

umm, you are right that the British government has no say. But the Queen does. Yes the mother country lets us vote and we select our PM. But if the Queen wants to step in she can. Know where the Governor General stands....