Thread: Australia urged to follow New Zealand's lead on flag rethink

Australia urged to follow New Zealand's lead on flag rethink



New Zealanders are likely to go to the polls to vote on a new flag, in a move that has prompted renewed debate about changing Australia's national flag.

New Zealand prime minister John Key says the existing flag, which features a Union Jack in the corner, is out of date and does not represent the country's identity.

"The design of the New Zealand flag symbolises a colonial and post-colonial era whose time has passed," Mr Key said in a speech today.

"The flag remains dominated by the Union Jack in a way that we ourselves are no longer dominated by the United Kingdom."

Mr Key has made no secret of his preference for the Silver Fern, but insists he is willing to consider all options and ideas ahead of a referendum during the next parliamentary term.

Those pushing for a change to Australia's flag believe Mr Key's comments will be a boost for the domestic campaign, declaring it would make Australia "look stupid" if the status quo remained.

Should Australia follow New Zealand's lead and consider changing the national flag? Have your say below.
"(New Zealand) has got this fabulous logo... which they use on their football jerseys - it just gives them an immediate recognition," Ausflag executive director Harold Scruby told ABC News.

"We go round the world and people ask us what part of Britain we're from. Is that a way to market Australia?"

The similarities between the Australian and New Zealand flags have often led to calls for change.

On one occasion while travelling overseas, former prime minister Bob Hawke was greeted by the New Zealand flag.

Mr Key says he is making the comments in the lead-up to the centenary to Anzac not to erase the country's past, but to think about New Zealand's future.

"I do not underestimate the significance of the flag to New Zealand's servicemen and women and their families, but being respectful of our history does not lock us permanently in the past."

Canada had also used the Union Jack in some of its previous flags, but in 1965 formally adopted the distinctive Maple leaf design.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are due to visit New Zealand and Australia next month.
Australia urged to follow New Zealand's lead on flag rethink - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

You ungrateful fukin collonial and convict scum!!!

the union jack - emblem of the oppressors

plundering countries for centuries so their masters could afford the frippery and the dominatrix's

Rip it up. Filthy huns the lot of em.
Seriously I think the fern would be a great flag for New Zealand.

On one occasion while travelling overseas, former prime minister Bob Hawke was greeted by the New Zealand flag.

Probably in America!

Canada changed so I see no reason not to have a competition to come up with a new flag design.

Well, I was gonna say "yes, but the bleeding heart pc apologists will rig the vote and force an abo-istic flag on us."

But KW beat me to it.....

It's good enough for Hawaii....



Anyway if Scotland votes for independence the Union flag will become history since the cross of St. Andrew will have to be removed.

Don't like the black, ruins it.

Forget the fern and the Southern Cross...I have just the flag for Australia.

Originally Posted by Necron99

Well, I was gonna say "yes, but the bleeding heart pc apologists will rig the vote and force an abo-istic flag on us."

But KW beat me to it.....

Why not recognize the original land holders?

Originally Posted by Thormaturge

Anyway if Scotland votes for independence the Union flag will become history since the cross of St. Andrew will have to be removed.

No it won't. Why would it ? The history does not change.

New Zealand has its own flag?? Who knew.

Things must be going very well down under if that's all they have to get excited about.

Originally Posted by kingwilly

Originally Posted by Necron99

Well, I was gonna say "yes, but the bleeding heart pc apologists will rig the vote and force an abo-istic flag on us."

But KW beat me to it.....

Why not recognize the original land holders?

Because it is divisive......it will always represent a sign of difference when the flag should represent all Aussies equally and not accord a single group special mention.
They weren't holding squat. If you want that then we should give equal recognition to the intrepid Brits who conquered them. Maybe go all Mozambiquy on it and have centre place taken up by a blood red flintlock? Red for the Redcoats, and the flintlock to honour how the country was won. The abos could use their little yellow dots to represent musket balls being fired out of the barrel.

Originally Posted by Necron99

Because it is divisive......it will always represent a sign of difference when the flag should represent all Aussies equally and not accord a single group special mention.

So you think we should remove the Union Jack also, then ?

Originally Posted by Necron99

They weren't holding squat.

Au contraire, just because the Brits declared it Terra Australis, does not mean it was.

Originally Posted by Thormaturge

Here you go with one of the front runners..



imagine, black in the Union Jack....

Looks like something from Len Deightons "SS-GB". Bloody awful

If the scots go - the welsh will have a fair try at going as well, so save time and just make the new one Saint George's Cross.

^

Maybe we could stick a sheep in the middle and try convincing the Welsh, Australians, New Zealanders and Falkland Islanders it represents them.

Originally Posted by kingwilly

Originally Posted by Necron99

Because it is divisive......it will always represent a sign of difference when the flag should represent all Aussies equally and not accord a single group special mention.

So you think we should remove the Union Jack also, then ?

Originally Posted by Necron99

They weren't holding squat.

Au contraire, just because the Brits declared it Terra Australis, does not mean it was.

Yes, get rid of the Jack by all means. It has no significance to Australian modern culture.
My idea for a flag would be dark green with a gold southern cross and the coat of arms in the top left above a federation star..



As to their "holding" it, history, some flintlocks, a bit of smallpox and the odd batch of poison flour demonstrates that any concept of their "holding" it that the various scattered and isolated bands had, if they had one at all, was entirely delusional.

This would be perfect. 51 stars. Very nice.

^ red sent, you ungrateful colonial!!!



(it is nice to see that the current USofA flag is based on that of the British East India company...)

Originally Posted by Necron99

Yes, get rid of the Jack by all means. It has no significance to Australian modern culture.

How interesting, you do not think modern Australia has been shaped by our histroy ?

I would keep it, or at least some representation of our colonial history.

Originally Posted by Necron99

and the coat of arms

Not really the place for a coat of arms.