I am all for becoming a republic and even abolishing the Federal State system for practical reasons, but I think we should keep the flag as it tells us where we originally came from. A sense of history is an important aspect of our growing maturity. It is a symbol of our struggle against oppression, where our form of government came from and our basis of common law and fairness. There are many countries that would love to have these attributes and our flag reminds us of this heritage.

CJ, Australia is past it's use by date, Pauline and these "Racist Thugs" (Whom everyone keeps talking about but can't seem to name outright) are as much a part of the Empire as the Leftists and Immigrants.
Banning Burqas and Calling Flag waving youths "Nazis" comes from the same mindset.

Mr. Pidgeon,

If anyone needs a flag, you are right in defending the current Australian one.

It well symbolizes the invasion of this continent by a European imperial Power, the near decimation of its natives, the unequal partition of their land and the formation of a Federation of States increasingly corrupt.

Long live the Flag!

Jay of Melbourne
I put the last paragraph in because the author mentioned the importance of symbolism. I wanted to add that while I understand the point, not all symbolism is for the better or for the good - which is why Germany banned the use of the swastika.

No matter our Flag, it is what we do as a nation that identifies us, terms like fighting for the Flag or fighting under the Flag can be used unwisely to justify illegal warfare and the like. Not all nationalistic pride stuff is good.

I am all for protecting Australia, defending Australia and protecting Australian industry, farmers and jobs including skilling up and sustainable populations. But I am also about doing what is right for other nations and not playing global patriarch deciding what is best for others and keeping all the spoils for ourselves.

Australia is not too bad on this stuff, go to the US and it might turn you off nationalistic pride completely. While there is a strong belief about the rights and freedoms of US citizens,there is a blinkered and biased view about the rights and freedoms of peoples of other nations. This type of red-neck nationalistic pride benefits the goals of corporate America to sustain wars and to influence matters for their own economic interests. Obama may change that to some extent - history will tell.

If we do become a Republic will the Flag still be relevant? Personally I don't have a strong view, the Flag might still represent part of our history. It depends - best way is to let the people decide.

My only worry is that the government will choose some horrid designer like they do for all of our international events and NYE celebrations.

I mean, don't get me wrong, I'd like a flag that doesn't look like 40 or so other commonwealth nations and has the entire flag of an overseas country in the corner, but if I were asked to choose between that and either;
-Green and gold (ugly)
-A picture of the actual continent (like the new Kosovar flag)
-Boxing Kangaroo (over my dead body)
-Some awful whispy sketch (like the Olympics)
-Just the Australian flag sans Jack, and a sloppy detail in its place
-Just a bunch of vague bars (like every state in Europe)
Guess who will be sticking with the jack?

In short, like the republic- unless you get it right and give me a design i actually like, I am quite happy to kick it back to the drawing room till they get it right.

Otherwise, I don't see why this is such a big deal- it will most likely be put to referendum, and Ray Martin's vote is but one out of over 22 million others.

I was under the over optimistic impression that Ray Martin had retired, so felt no enthusiasm for his appearance, and even less for his inappropriate presentation, on Anzac Day.

Perhaps he might make this the last confused presentation, of his less than illustrious career.

Allan has given us an excellent summary of the present situation.

We have an excellent flag, decoratively and symbolically, and one wonders why people who wish to tamper with it cannot find some useful way in which to occupy themselves.