Australian Flag
Ray Martin has suffered an uncharacteristic lack of judgment - and possibly also taste - in using our most important national day to reignite debate over the Australian flag.
In doing so he has damaged the republican cause, by exposing himself and the broader republican movement to accusations of opportunitism and grand-standing.
Don’t get me wrong - I don’t love our flag, for the simple reason that it’s got another country’s flag plastered all over it. As a modern and independent and multicultural nation it is a total anachronism that one-quarter of our national ensign is occupied by the Union Jack, regardless of the (generally positive) role of Britain in settling and colonising our nation.
Continue reading "Why Ray was wrong to trash the flag on ANZAC Day" »
Everyone looks at my neck and thinks I’m a red-necked Indian-bashing racist.
The day before Australia Day, I caught the bus to work. Sitting up the back, sweltering in the heat and breathing in the sweat of the others condemned to the ride, I was tapped on the shoulder. The man behind me, breath heavy with booze, declared me a “sister of the Australian cause”.
Confused and a little scared, I tried to ignore him. But the curious journo in me won out, and I asked him what he was talking about. Beaming and red-faced, he pointed to my neck, and THAT tattoo.
Continue reading "My Southern Cross tattoo now brands me as a racist" »
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Steph says:
The Southern Cross is barely a symbol of Australia seeing as it is used on the New Zealand, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Brazil, Mercosur flags. It is used on many insignia by many countries. You’re better off getting the coat of arms. Read more »
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Tom says:
Hahahaha, wow. I’am laughing at you. Your name: Kiki Says: “Game set and match”.... Piss weak. Read more »
DAVID Penberthy is spot on with his piece on Australia Day - and I’m not saying that because I’m some boss-schmoozing suck up or because I’m protecting some fat paycheck (I’m seriously not).
The day’s been bastardised by bogans and for a while now has been descending into a celebration of banal racism.
But Penbo does not go far enough when he says we need to transform the day into a celebration of belonging to this country.
Continue reading "Our national flag has been highjacked by hillbillies" »
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nathan says:
most people know that we do come from convicts, however thet dose not mean that every ausie is an rasisist 2 be quite frank i have a hard time spelling it , reguards nathan Read more »
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Andrew Phillips says:
Mustafa, Australian Protectionists are not a re-hash of One Nation which appeared all too willing to cave in on issues of concern to Australians once the media whipped up the hysteria and campaign of misinformation. Regarding “laws to shut these people up”-come now. This is Australia and while we do… Read more »
I realise it is incredibly un-trendy to like the monarchy. Heck, sometimes I even wish that the French revolution had never taken place, if only for my personal amusement of watching England and France compete via the insecurities of their ruling leaders, as they did once upon a time.
Think of all the gowns; the pomp, drama and arrogance; and the lavish court parties that could have taken place, and, lest I forget, the option of eating cake when bread was not available.
But, personal amusement aside, watching The Young Victoria just reinstated how much I like having a queen on a throne, even if she’s technically not part of my country and much of a half world away.
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Nicholas Folkes says:
TonyO, you are right to state that “James Scully seems a bit mixed up:.....this typifies most Republicans and their total lack of knowledge about the Crown, role of GG and the Constitution. Half of the adult population do not even know that we have a Constitution and over 80% of… Read more »
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Dave says:
TonyO, it is you who seem to be mixed up. The Queen is the titular Head of State in Australia. However as the Queen does not reside in Australia she appoints a Governor-General as an effective Head of State (that is why we have a Governor-General). However the Governor General… Read more »
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