“Australians have had an absolute gutful of radical activists burning the Australian flag. It is a wake-up call for our out-of-touch and weak political class – mainstream Australians want harsh consequences for the desecration of their flag” said Daniel Wild, Deputy Executive Director of the Institute of Public Affairs.
Today, the IPA has released new polling data, compiled by independent marketing research firm Dynata, which shows:
- 77 per cent of Australians believe burning the Australian National Flag should be against the law. This includes 76 per cent of Australians aged 18-24.
- 63 per cent of Australians believe people who burn the Australian National Flag should face jail time. This includes 64 per cent of those aged 18-24.
- 71 per cent of Australians believe non-citizens who burn the Australian National Flag should be deported. This includes 66 per cent of those aged 18-24.
“This poll shows Australians are united in their pride in our national flag, which represents every Australian and unites us around our shared values and love of our great nation,” Mr Wild said.
“The right to freedom of speech and the ability for Australians to peacefully protest must be always be sacrosanct. However, this poll makes clear that the denigration and desecration of our key civic symbols has gone unchecked by our leaders for too long and will no longer be tolerated.”
“There is a reawakening in the community of the importance of our National Flag, just as there has been in support of Australian Day, and ANZAC Day,” Mr Wild said.
The IPA’s poll follows pro-Hamas demonstrators burning the Australian National Flag in Melbourne. It also comes at a time when the federal member for Herbert, Phil Thompson MP, is seeking to introduce a motion into parliament calling for flag burning to be criminalised.
“Australia is currently more divided than at any stage since the Second World War. Now more than ever, it is vital that we reinforce what unites us rather than what divides us – this is why our flag must have pride of place in our civic life,” Mr Wild said.
Recent IPA research found 71 per cent of Australians believe our National Flag unites us, with just 13 per cent disagreeing, and 77 per cent of Australians are proud of our National Flag, with just 7 per cent disagreeing.
“The Australian National Flag is our most inclusive flag as it represents our entire nation and every Australian, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or gender,” Mr Wild said.
“At a time when social cohesion is disintegrating across the nation, mainstream Australians understand that our symbols are unifying, and should be cherished and celebrated at all times. Afterall, there is far more that unites Australians than divides us.”
To download the IPA’s polling data click here.
