Australian Politics General...

[SirRumpole]

Dominic Perrotet was on the Ball when he suggested thgt 28 Million to place a large Aboriginal Flag on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.\ did not pass the Pub Test, and joined the chorus of guffaws,
Unfortunately for Dominic, his radar on what does or does not pass the pub test was grossly astray when he allowed the former National Party leader and coalition vice premier to be appointed as trade ambassador for NSW.
Jobs for the boys, the D$#%heads just can't help them selves.
Mick

Th best thing e can do is get rid of the Union Jack on our flag and replace it with the Aboriginal flag, then everyone (almost) will be happy.

 

[wayneL]

Th best thing e can do is get rid of the Union Jack on our flag and replace it with the Aboriginal flag, then everyone (almost) will be happy.

I think your well wide of the mark on that one, Horace.

 

[SirRumpole]

I think your well wide of the mark on that one, Horace.

Why is that wayne ?

 

[wayneL]

Why is that wayne ?

Disclaimer: I don't give a fig about flags themselves, they're a piece of cloth with pretty colours. But people do embrace what flags signify, the politics behind them.

Firstly, there are many for whom the current flag is important, veterans, monarchists, its, conservatives (in the literal sense).

Secondly, the aboriginal flag was created to specifically represent the indigenous and somewhat a flag if protest. For many indigenous, it represents separatism and self rule and they would be deeply unhappy for it to represent whitefellas. See here https://theconversation.com/dont-sa...-it-belongs-to-us-not-the-commonwealth-175623

Adoption of the Aboriginal flag national cycling undoubtedly create even more division tha has been artificially created by the politics around the current flag.

If we collectively decide that we must have a new flag for whatever reason, must be representative of Australians. It should seek to unify and not to divide.

See here

 

[SirRumpole]

Disclaimer: I don't give a fig about flags themselves, they're a piece of cloth with pretty colours. But people do embrace what flags signify, the politics behind them.

Firstly, there are many for whom the current flag is important, veterans, monarchists, its, conservatives (in the literal sense).

Secondly, the aboriginal flag was created to specifically represent the indigenous and somewhat a flag if protest. For many indigenous, it represents separatism and self rule and they would be deeply unhappy for it to represent whitefellas. See here https://theconversation.com/dont-sa...-it-belongs-to-us-not-the-commonwealth-175623

Adoption of the Aboriginal flag national cycling undoubtedly create even more division tha has been artificially created by the politics around the current flag.

If we collectively decide that we must have a new flag for whatever reason, must be representative of Australians. It should seek to unify and not to divide.

See here

I get what you are saying and I don't entirely disagree.

The Eureka flag is a similar symbol which would not engage everyone.

So yeah, maybe come up with a different design that makes most people happy. Attempts have been made before but seem to have gone nowhere.

alternative australian flag - Google Search

www.google.com

 

[PZ99]

No appetite for changing it from me. Makes me feel like we're rewriting history if we change it.

I'm all for the republic if it's the right model but leave the flag as is

 

[moXJO]

Seems like Dan Andrews may be in a spot of bother if the number of rats deserting the sinking ship syndrome is anything to go by.
Apart from the seven MP's Mark Gepp, Richard Wynne Jill Hennesy , Dustin Halse , John Eren , Jane Garett and Danielle Green who all resigned immediately within a two week period back in December 2021, the was Luke Donellan who resigned in October of the branch stacking recordings, and of course there was Adam Somnurek who may well recontest as an independant over the same issue.
And then of course there was Jenny Mikakos who was thrown under a bus by Andrews over the mess that became Covid back in June 2021.
None of them will be recontesting for Labour.
Early in 2022 we had Labour MP Vaghela Kaushallys forced to resign after crossing the floor over the so called "red shirts "investigation.
Today we have had the announcement that Deputy Premier James Merlino, Health Minister Martin Foley, Industry Support, Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Martin Pakula and Police and Water Minister Lisa Neville are all set to step down from cabinet and not contest the November state election.
Thats a total of 15 members who will not be contesting for the Labour party.
Lucky he had a wacking great majority or he may have run out of fodder.
Mick

Did something dodgy happen down there?

They don't normally jump ship unless they might be heading for criminal charges.

 

[sptrawler]

I get what you are saying and I don't entirely disagree.

The Eureka flag is a similar symbol which would not engage everyone.

So yeah, maybe come up with a different design that makes most people happy. Attempts have been made before but seem to have gone nowhere.

alternative australian flag - Google Search

www.google.com

What if most people are happy with the flag we have? Casting aside heritage, convention and history to appease some who feel disenfranchised, what if the result is the majority end up disenfranchised?
IMO it is difficult very difficult in a multicultural society to give people a feeling of belonging, the more you change your traditions and what is seen as 'normal' the more people disconnect with the 'one Australia' concept and adopt a here we go again attitude.
To me it is a bit like the Republic debate, I look at the republics around the world and I don't see any that have gained the cohesiveness of the monarchy system, even the U.S, Russia etc, I mean what a mess.
The monarchy seems to give a country a grounding, a common link, that outlasts a term of politics, even if is only a honorary position.
Just my opinion.

 

[Knobby22]

What if most people are happy with the flag we have? Casting aside heritage, convention and history to appease some who feel disenfranchised, what if the result is the majority end up disenfranchised?
IMO it is difficult very difficult in a multicultural society to give people a feeling of belonging, the more you change your traditions and what is seen as 'normal' the more people disconnect with the 'one Australia' concept and adopt a here we go again attitude.
Just my opinion.

I get embarrassed seeing the Union Jack in the corner. My Irish heritage great uncles, now dead, who fought in WW2 weren't fans either.

 

[sptrawler]

I get embarrassed seeing the Union Jack in the corner. My Irish heritage great uncles, now dead, who fought in WW2 weren't fans either.

And that is fair enough, everyone has an opinion, but I see a lot more cohesiveness in the commonwealth, than I do in republics, again just an opinion. Even the Commonwealth games seems to bring a family atmosphere to the sports.
Take the U.K for example, they are represented by people from many nations, who have moved to live in the U.K.
Initially when the influx happened, there was a lot of racial tension and violence, but now there is hardly any when compared to the U.S, a lot of this has to be that the U.K people have a feeling of belonging and I think a lot of that is due to the monarchy.
Again only an opinion.

 

[Knobby22]

And that is fair enough, everyone has an opinion, but I see a lot more cohesiveness in the commonwealth, than I do in republics, again just an opinion. Even the Commonwealth games seems to bring a family atmosphere to the sports.

Yea, i agree. But I would like to be like Canada and be a member with our own flag.
I am pretty sure our defence members would hate to be confused with Poms.
A silhouette of a kangaroo would suit me.
Basic, instantly recognised, doesn't exclude or make special inclusions of anyone.

 

[sptrawler]

Yea, i agree. But I would like to be like Canada and be a member with our own flag.
I am pretty sure our defence members would hate to be confused with Poms.
A silhouette of a kangaroo would suit me.
Basic, instantly recognised, doesn't exclude or make special inclusions of anyone.

Good point and maybe they should have not included the union jack in the corner, the Southern Cross is a great emblem IMO.

 

[SirRumpole]

Yea, i agree. But I would like to be like Canada and be a member with our own flag.
I am pretty sure our defence members would hate to be confused with Poms.
A silhouette of a kangaroo would suit me.
Basic, instantly recognised, doesn't exclude or make special inclusions of anyone.

 

[Knobby22]

View attachment 143256

yea, nah.

 

[sptrawler]

I like KIS.
No matter where you are in Australia, anyone who looks up on a clear night lit sky, can see it, share it with someone, enjoy it and find their way home with it. If anything else is added, IMO it shouldn't be dominant.

 

[mullokintyre]

Did something dodgy happen down there?

They don't normally jump ship unless they might be heading for criminal charges.

In the same way that Glad resigned and got her pension before they potentially took it away, I suspect something similar with this mob.
Ya just don't know with these sleazy politicians.
mick

 

[SirRumpole]

In the same way that Glad resigned and got her pension before they potentially took it away, I suspect something similar with this mob.
Ya just don't know with these sleazy politicians.
mick

On the other hand maybe they were tired of all the media attention and intrusion. Obviously it's part of the job which is maybe why they ditched the job.

 

[moXJO]

On the other hand maybe they were tired of all the media attention and intrusion. Obviously it's part of the job which is maybe why they ditched the job.

Na, I'm going with "sleazebags".

 

[sptrawler]

Interesting move by the new Govt, saves money, reduces flack and antagonism.
Good move IMO, gives the media a lot less ammo, excellent maneuver
Just shows what a popular forward thinking Govt can achieve, it's about time the crossbench was put in their place, they received sod all votes, they should have sod all staff to research and keep the Govt honest.?

Crossbench fury as government cuts staffers from four to one

The Senate’s new kingmaker, David Pocock, said the decision was “bad for democracy and terrible for transparency”.

www.smh.com.au

Independents and minor parties are up in arms after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese cut their staffing allocation to a quarter of what it was in the previous parliament, leaving them with only one adviser each to work through reams of legislation and threatening the new government’s relationship with the crossbench.
The previous government gave permission for crossbench MPs and senators to have two advisers and two assistant advisers, plus the electorate office staff each member can employ.

 

[SirRumpole]

Interesting move by the new Govt, saves money, reduces flack and antagonism.
Good move IMO, gives the media a lot less ammo, excellent maneuver
Just shows what a popular forward thinking Govt can achieve, it's about time the crossbench was put in their place, they received sod all votes, they should have sod all staff to research and keep the Govt honest.?

Crossbench fury as government cuts staffers from four to one

The Senate’s new kingmaker, David Pocock, said the decision was “bad for democracy and terrible for transparency”.

www.smh.com.au

Independents and minor parties are up in arms after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese cut their staffing allocation to a quarter of what it was in the previous parliament, leaving them with only one adviser each to work through reams of legislation and threatening the new government’s relationship with the crossbench.
The previous government gave permission for crossbench MPs and senators to have two advisers and two assistant advisers, plus the electorate office staff each member can employ.

Maybe Albo's first blunder. I thought he wanted to work with the cross bench, it doesn't make sense to get them offside.