Paul,

"As a pacifists I cannot, and never will, support any kind of violent action to achieve any goal, no matter how desirable it is."

Not even to save your own life or that of a loved one, or even a stranger against unlawful and potentially fatal attack?

What's wrong with retaining the Southern Cross part of
our flag and simply removing the British symbols?
Our nation has now evolved from what it
once was - and should represent all
of us. Australia's flag as stated earlier has changed many
times. Our present flag dates from only 1953.

Australia and New Zealand are the only two major independent
Commonwealth countries that retain British Ensigns as their
national flags.

If the dominant culture of Australia has moved away from the English language and laws, Westminster Parliament history and conventions; then it is time to change the flag. Think about what our culture is represented by - golden sand beaches, rugged red earth, blue water, Aluminum cans, broken glass and a swinging fist in anger?

Dear Josephus,

The Australian people should choose the design of their
new flag. At present it is not uniquely Australian and
it does get confused with the New Zealand flag. I mentioned
earlier that when the then Prime Minister Bob Hawke visited
Ottawa they raised the New Zealand flag by mistake.

As a defaced British ensign - our current flag signifies our
subordination to Britain. The current Australian flag implies
that Australia is a colony like Hong Kong used to be and
the Falkland Islands.

This does need to change. The design we choose is up to
the people of this nation.

Josephus>> If the dominant culture of Australia has moved away from the English language and laws, Westminster Parliament history and conventions;<<

Josephus. we should still retain the vast majority of the Westminster system, there is no call to ditch that, just to change the flag and appoint an Australian citizen as head of state.......the rest stays. Regarding the design of the flag, the Aboriginal flag with the southern cross would suit me.

Foxy,

"As a defaced British ensign - our current flag signifies our
subordination to Britain. The current Australian flag implies
that Australia is a colony like Hong Kong used to be and
the Falkland Islands."

you forgot to add that other well known British dependency,
Hawaii!

"The flag of the state of Hawaii (Hawaiian: Ka Hae Hawai) is the official standard symbolizing Hawaii as a U.S. state. The same flag had also previously been used by the kingdom, protectorate, republic, and territory of Hawaii. It is the only U.S. state flag to feature the Union flag of the United Kingdom, a remnant of the period in Hawaiian history when it was associated with the British Empire."

Those backward Hawaiians, fancy remembering one's history on one's flag.