Now a Flag Furore

In the interegnum while the new federal Government gets into its stride, it’s just the time for a set-to not only on The Voice and the Republic but now also about the flag. Driven by Indigenous Greens Senators, controversy over the Union Jack on the flag and its prominent display as a political back-drop have entered into mainstream discourse. It’s a timely issue for debate as it links so closely not only to the Republic but also to how First Nations reflect on how the country represents itself on the national and international stage. The continuing presence of the Union Jack on our national flag is good reminder about and entree to the Republic issue. Indigenous people aren’t the only ones wondering why their country is always represented by a Union Jack! Look at Canada’s flag, now long-changed. New Zealand dropped the ball on this one in its 2016 referendum – undoubtedly now regretted.