Colin Boyce (Flynn, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I will just remind you, Deputy Speaker, that we have just witnessed one of the most appalling speeches from the member for Moore in respect of respecting the Australian flag. I cannot believe it. I'd like to start my speech today by acknowledging all Australian veterans, both past and present, for their courage, service and sacrifice, and remember those who gave their lives to protect our freedoms, and we express our gratitude to those who continue to serve our nation.

I'd like to recognise my good friend and colleague the member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson, for moving this motion today. Phil's a veteran and he's devoted his life to Australia and to our national flag, and I thank him for his service. The member for Herbert's motion states:

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.

Australia is currently a divided nation. Recently, masked protesters at pro-Palestine rallies were filmed burning and ripping up the Australian flag. The masked cowards are nothing more than traitors. But, even more disturbingly, the current laws mean that these traitors can walk away scot-free—no repercussions, not even a fine.

Criminalising the desecration and/or burning of the national flag would not be a first around the globe. A number of countries in Europe have criminalised the burning of their national flags, including France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland. The punishment for burning the national flag in Russia is reportedly one year in jail. Some countries across Africa also have bans on flag desecration, as well as many nations in Asia; China, Hong Kong the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, India and Indonesia all have punishments in place for those who desecrate their national flag. In South America, Mexico and Brazil also have laws in place to protect their flags. The US government has also announced their intention to make it illegal to burn the US flag.

Whilst some on the left of politics believe that criminalisation of the desecration and/or burning of the national flag is a fringe issue, following are the facts. The Institute of Public Affairs released polling data last month that found:

…   …   …

Recent IPA research found 71 per cent of Australians believe our National Flag unites us, with just 13 per cent disagreeing, and 77 per cent of Australians are proud of our National Flag, with just 7 per cent disagreeing.

I make the assumption that the seven per cent who disagree are most likely the Greens supporters or the far-left side of politics joining the likes of Greens members Senator Penny Allman-Payne and the member for Ryan, who refuse to display the Australian national flag.

Many men and women have fought, and died fighting, for our country and for the freedom of its people under the Australian national flag. Once again I call on the government to criminalise the desecration and/or the burning of the Australian national flag and to punish those supporting declared terrorist groups. It's time the Labor government showed some leadership. This is the least we can do to honour and respect our veterans, both past and present.

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