Tyron Whitten (WA, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Australian flag is more than just a piece of fabric; it's a powerful symbol of who we are as a nation. It stands for the values that bind us together—freedom, democracy, the rule of law and the right to live safely and peacefully in what is without question the greatest country on earth.

Our flag tells the story of our past, our struggles and our victories. It's flown proudly at sporting events, citizenship ceremonies and schools across the country. More importantly, it has been carried into battle by our servicemen and women—brave Australians who stood on the front lines in defence of our nation and everything the flag represents. Many of those Australians never returned home. They paid the ultimate price to protect our way of life, our freedoms, our democracy and our national identity.

So when protesters choose to burn the Australian flag, it's not just a political statement; it's a disgrace. It's an insult to every digger who wore the uniform, fought under that flag and laid down their life for this country. It is deeply disrespectful not just to the memory of those we've lost but to every Australian who loves this country and what it stands for.

In the United States, President Donald Trump has taken a stand. He issued an executive order introducing tough penalties for anyone who burns the American flag—a clear message that patriotism is not up for negotiation and that the nation's symbol must be respected. I ask: why is the Albanese Labor government silent when our national flag is burned and desecrated here at home? Why do they do nothing while our flag is publicly disrespected? Why do they turn a blind eye?

Enough is enough. It's time we stood up for our national flag, for what it represents and for the people who fought and died under it. It's time we defended our national identity with the same pride and courage shown by those who came before us.