Defending the Australian Flag

Like many Australians I watched in horror and outrage as our national flag was torched outside Federal Parliament on the day after Australia Day, 27 January 2012.

It baffles me that anyone would feel justified in burning our national flag. Actions such as this are nothing more than divisive and destructive. It also baffles me that, in Australia, anyone can burn an Australian flag at any time and, in more cases than not, get away with it.

As part of this great democracy of ours, our freedom should always be defended, but acts such as burning our national flag, which can only be described as sheer vandalism, should not be tolerated. The salient point should be made - burning the Australian flag is not a legitimate form of political protest.

Please contact my office if you or a community group you represent would like to display an Australian flag.

Read my speech to the Senate about defending the Australian flag here.