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Ray Martin defends flag debate

Ray Martin has defended a 60 Minutes debate he has hosted on the question of changing the flag, timed to run this Sunday -ANZAC Day.

Here we go again.

Ray Martin has defended a 60 Minutes debate he has hosted on the question of changing the flag, amid criticism it is poorly timed to run this Sunday -ANZAC Day.

John Vaughan, who represents the Australian National Flag Association, said he was upset at its “inappropriate” timing. In an article in North Shore Times, he accused Martin and 60 Minutes producers of assembling a group of notable anti-Australian flag speakers for the debate.

He took the opportunity to put forward his case on the question of the flag itself, saying, “Thousands of Australians have fought for the freedom that we enjoy under this flag. Thousands of sporting stars have won medals as it was proudly flown and many dinky-di Aussies are immensely proud of our national flag.

“The Union Jack is but one element, acknowledging the historical fact that our system of parliamentary government and the rule of law are derived from our colonial heritage. Another element of the Southern Cross is highly significant in Aboriginal mythology.”

Martin said he had attended a service every Anzac Day for 30 years and had a right to have an opinion.

“Clearly, the national flag is the most powerful symbol of a country’s brand, but there has been great confusion between identifying the Australian, New Zealand and UK flags. Hold up the New Zealand flag – you can’t tell the difference. Australians have fought under a whole range of flags – and the heavens didn’t fall when the Canadians changed their flag.”

But the question could indeed be one of timing if more parties condemn Nine for programming the episode for ANZAC Day. Presumably, the network fully intends to capitalise on such division.

ANZAC Day remains a day that generates passion, with annual debates about what should and shouldn’t open, whether we should have a public holiday, whether kids should march with Diggers, and the legalities of Two-Up. Generational division surrounding the day was also the setting for a classic 1970s Aussie play The One Day of the Year by Alan Seymour, which itself became the wonderful Nine sitcom The Last of the Australians.

We were arguing then. We’ll be arguing still. It’s kinda what we do.

Source: North Shore Times

61 Responses

  1. Appalling timing Channel 9 to present, on ANZAC Day,, a debate on the flag- more like a vendetta, the small part I saw, having switched off when Ray mentioned the ‘spilling of blood’ on a football field , as if it in any way could be compared to the real sacrifices that occurred in wars by truly brave men and women. The end of 60 Minutes for ever!

  2. England gets 75% of company profits in Australia, and has a 2nd armed force in the Pacific at call.
    They are going to insist that the Australian flag change & the Queen renounce her position as head of goverment,for diplomatic reasons.
    They will organise it to look as if Australians want it.

    The d*****d peasants in Australia are going to get upset, but they will be overcome by teaching them a new ditty to sing and told what heros they all are.
    You will see them with tears in their eyes embracing the new flag, within minutes.

  3. I seriously object to the debate about changing our flag being held on Anzac Day and Ray Martin has lost me and If Peter Fitzsimmons thinks that spilling blood on the sports field can be in any way be compared to spilling blood on the battle field he definately has had his head in to many scrums. As for changing it to include the colours red black and yellow of the Indiginous flag, my opinion is that this flag to me seems a very angry flag.

  4. Long live our Australian flag shame on you Ray Martin, leave our flag alone!! Are other countries going to change their flag because of multiculturalism and refugees living in their countries, I think not.
    These migrants and refugees flee or move to our country under our flag, it is not for us to change our Australian flag for them, they know what flag flies proudly for Australians, if they don’t like our flag, then leave.

  5. Ray Martin I used to respect you as a journalist but you have lost me over this one keep your hands off the flag, as for the stupid Pirate Fitzsimons (what is with the head scarf you idiot) stick your head back in the scrum where it belongs!!!
    Hands off the Australian Flag

  6. I am in favour of a flag change — A change would definately not deminish the appreciation of the contribution that was given, or is being given by our military. We pride ourselves on being a multicultural society why not reflect that fact in our flag and rid ourselves of the “old country” symbol. We are not colonists any more !

    Canada, where I lived for a number of years, changed their flag to the red and white Maple Leaf, having followed a similar path of growth to Australia and now the sense of pride that is displayed by Canadians, when the Maple Leaf is flown is huge. It would be the same in our country I am sure –but– we have to take some time to choose the correct one to replace the current one with. There are some awful designs being bandied around. We definately need to change.

  7. Hands off the flag …shame on both you Ray and 60 minutes on the timing of this.
    I refuse to look at it and won’t be watching 60 ever again as telephone calls are coming in saying it was a set up.

  8. Everyone seems to be missing the real point here. The british colonized this country to house their poor, neglected, starving and hopeless people. Convicts. These people were displaced as the result of a british sovereign king george iv (father being mad king george) this was a era in england of great richness and great poverty. Out first settlers deserve recognition for their journey’s and therefore have the union jack removed and our flag represent a new nation. A nation of a hard working,brave and proud australians and the families that followed. This is our history.

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