Phillip Thompson (Herbert, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

(1) notes the:

(a) abhorrent behaviour of protestors burning the Australian national flag at rallies throughout our country which is deplorable, disrespectful and goes against our values as a nation;

(b) Australian flag is the flag members of our Australian Defence Forces wear on their shoulders and the flag that sits on the coffin of our fallen men and women; and

(c) Flags Act 1953 fails to criminalise the destruction of the Australian national flag;

(2) condemns the:

(a) Government's failure to enact legislative power to punish those who burn the Australian national flag; and

(b) Government for allowing protestors to carry and display declared terrorist flags throughout our community; and

(3) calls on the Government to:

(a) criminalise the desecration and/or burning of the Australian national flag; and

(b) punish those supporting declared terrorists' groups.

The Australian national flag represents the heart and soul of our nation. It is more than just a piece of fabric. It unites us all as Australians, and it's proudly worn on the shoulders of the Australian Defence Force. Yet we've witnessed shocking scenes of protesters on our streets desecrating and burning the Australian national flag. Most Australians are rightly appalled by what they've seen, because, unlike the fringe radicals, most Australians cherish our flag. They have now spoken out in overwhelming numbers to say enough is enough.

My petition to criminalise burning the Australian flag has gained more than 20,000 signatures in under two weeks. This landslide support reflects the views of a majority of Australians. Recent polling shows that 77 per cent of Australians believe that burning the Australian flag should be against the law. With such enormous public backing for our flag, you'd think this Labor government would be listening. Respecting the Australian flag is not a controversial idea. Indeed, 77 per cent of Australians say they are proud of our flag and 71 per cent say it unites us. And they are absolutely right. Our flag's symbols, the Federation Star, the Union Jack and southern cross, represent the coming together of our states and people, the rule of law and our unique place in the world.

To me it's much more than just a symbol. As a former soldier, I wore the Australian flag on my shoulder and fought on the battlefield under its colours. My mates who were killed in combat, died in training or succumbed to their war within had the Australian flag draped over their coffins. It's deeply personal and an insult to every Australian every time one of these thugs on the streets puts a torch to our national flag without consequence.

Thousands upon thousands of Australians have written to me expressing this. Megan from Ipswich said:

My family fought and died for our country under the Australian Flag. Burning it is abhorrent to me.

Anthony, a veteran from Gunnedah, said:

Many Australians have sacrificed blood, sweat, and tears for our country. Just as their legacy should be respected and protected, so should our National Flag.

Gavin from Albury said:

Our Flag represents everyone who wants to be a part of our great country. It is highly disrespectful and hurtful to see people burn it and get away with it.

It breaks my heart to see the desecration of the flag that unites us as Australians.

The Flags Act 1953 fails to criminalise burning the Australian flag, with charges only applied when it involves stealing or destroying someone else's property. This is unacceptable. Our flag must be protected in its own right. Burning our flag is not a legitimate use of freedom of expression; it's an assault on our society and the sacrifices of our bravest. Protesters, regardless of their cause, can make their point without desecrating our flag. It's unbelievable that this Labor government has failed to protect the Australian flag while allowing flags of listed terrorist organisations to be paraded in our streets.

Australians are rightly fed up with it and are demanding this government do something. So this week, ahead of Flag Day, I call on the Albanese Labor government to support my motion and make it a criminal offence to burn or otherwise desecrate the Australian national flag. I also call on the government to criminalise flying the flags of listed terrorist organisations in our freedom loving country. Every Australian deserves to see our flag treated with dignity and respect, not trampled on and set on fire. If this Albanese Labor government refuses to protect our flag, I call on this parliament to condemn them for their failure to act.

We must not fail our veterans, our families and every Australian who loves their country. We must honour those who fought and died under our flag, and we must protect the flag that unites us all as Australians. This flag is not controversial. We should stand up for it, stand behind it and protect it. We shouldn't have to debate this and be against each other. I'm calling on all the parliamentarians speaking today to protect the Australian national flag.

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