Kevin Hogan (Page, National Party, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Our Australian flag unites us. I know that, when a lot of people in this chamber and millions of people around our country see the Australian flag, they feel proud of it, whether it be flying above the Sydney Harbour Bridge, whether it be at an international sporting event or whether it be at an international political event, which some of us have had the privilege of being a part of. When you see the Australian flag representing us internationally or indeed in our own communities—whenever I drive past or see one in any of those contexts I am extremely proud of our country. I'm proud of our country because of the prosperity that we have. I'm proud of our country because of many of the things this great country has done and the freedoms people have.

What greatly concerns me is that there are increasingly times when we are seeing the Australian flag being burnt at protests in our country. What concerns me about that is what is going on inside that person 's mind. Is it the values that we represent as Australians that they don't like? Is it our democracy that they don't like? Is it the freedom of the press that they don't like? Is it the freedom of religion that they don't like? Is it the independent judicial system that they don't like?

I think, if anyone burns the Australian flag, two things should happen. If they're not an Australian citizen, they should be deported. They obviously don't respect our country. If they are an Australian citizen, they should be charged.