KEEPING OUR ORIGINAL NATIONAL EMBLEM

 "It is the Soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press, 

It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech, 

It is the soldier, not the campus organiser, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate, 

It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag."

There are dozens of internet sites available for the reader to search out the arguments for changing the flag and others that advocate the retaining of the flag. I am for retaining our flag as it reflects and details the history of the nation. Should this nation become a republic without changing the system of government and the States remain then the flag remains unchanged.

I have fiercely protected our flag and proudly served under it for over twenty years in the Australian Military Forces during the 1950s to 1980s. I served in Malaya and Viet Nam, and, without getting fuzzy and warm , say in a strong loud voice, "What a beautiful designed emblem that tells the world just who we really are!"  

Our nation is the only one that came into being without conflict and we have never had a reason for changing our national emblem. Those who advocate change constantly quote the Republic of South Africa (changed to unify the nation after apartheid), Canada is also used as an example, its flag was changed to appease those French Canadians who wanted to secede from the Dominion of Canada. In Australia there has never been the need to change our flag, only those vocal few who take exception to the Union Jack emblem in the upper canton want it changed. While we remain as we are why change a flag that has flown proudly for 100 years. One day, maybe, just maybe, the situation  for us will change and so will our needs to also change our flag.

However should there be a change to how we are governed, that is, a "Two Tier" government system that replaces the States, then the historical links to Britain and Westminster Government are severed. For example should the nation decide to become a republic and have a National and Provincial government system (replace the present National, State and Local governments then this writer believes there is a case to consider changing the flag.