Australia: Commonwealth, Republic, or just a lowly colony?

[Shur'tugal]

Australia's flag

For those of you who don't know, Prince William of Great Britain recently spent some time in Australia. Janurary 26th is also Australia Day. These two events have re-sparked the old debate on whether or not Australia should become a Republic, and whether or not we should change our flag. Also, I'm not going to go into a lot of detail here.

Republic or Commonwealth?
This is the big question. The current Australian government has promised that, if reelected, they will hold a referendum on whether or not Australia should become a Republic.

The Republicans (that's what I'll call the people who want Australia to become a Republic) want Australia to abandon the Monarchy as our Head of State and become an independent nation. They say that Australia is old enough and mature enough to govern themselves (Australia was officially declared a nation in 1901). They think that until Australia becomes independent from Britain, that we're still a colony no matter and not a nation.

The Commonwealth's (that's what I'll call the people who want Australia to stay a Commonwealth) claim that the Monarchy has been like a Mother (or Father depending on who sits on the throne) to Australia and that we should respect that and remain a Commonwealth.

The Flag

The biggest problem that the people pushing for a new flag have with the current one is the Union Jack in the top left-hand corner. They believe that it says that Australia is still a Colony of Great Britain want it removed because Australia is now mature enough to govern itself.

The meaning of the current Australian flag is very simple. The Union Jack represents our British heritage, the Southern Cross represents our geographical location on the Southern Hemisphere, and the Commonwealth Star (the big star underneath the Union Jack), represents each state and Territory of Australia (one point for each). (Also, iirc, the blue represents the pacific ocean but I'm not sure on this)

Below are some designs for possible flags that could replace the current one, courtesy of ausflag.com.au:



This design is half evolutionary and half revolutionary.

Whilst it retains both the Southern Cross and Federation Star of our current flag, it incorporates Australia's national colours of Green and Gold.

However, there is relatively small public support for the use of Green and Gold on the national flag. There is no requirement for a flag to use the national colours (e.g. Netherlands has a red white, and blue flag, though its national colour is orange).



This flag is a modification by Harold Scruby of Ausflag of Anthony Burton's design and concept in Ausflag's 1993 flag design competition.

The design shows the Southern Cross shining over the great red island continent, surrounded by the seas.

It is an evolutionary design utilising the Australian colours and elements of the existing flag and the Australian Red Ensign which was formerly used, unofficially and by popular practice, as the Australian national flag on land as well as at sea.

For the Ausflag 1997 Flag Campaign the colours in the above design were reversed to create a flag more in sympathy with the current Australian flag.



This flag was designed by Bruce Baird, former Liberal Minister for the Olympic Games in New South Wales. Bruce Baird recently proclaimed his support for a new Australian flag. Mr Baird wrote in a letter to Ausflag on 24 October 1996:

"Here is my contribution to the new Australian flag. As you can see, it is based on a similar concept to the Canadian flag, with the two red stripes either side of the Southern Cross configuration."



This design, by Harold Scruby of Ausflag, is a revolutionary rather than an evolutionary flag.

Incorporating the colours of the Aboriginal flag, it depicts a kangaroo, in silhouette against the sun, over the great red continent.



This flag is a variation by Harold Scruby of Ausflag of Mark Tucker's design and concept in Ausflag's 1993 flag design competition.

The only change has been to centre the Southern Cross above the stylised representation of Uluru to give the flag better symmetry and balance.

My Opinion
I believe that Australia should become independent from Great Britain, however, I believe that our flag should remain as it is.

For further information, linked below are articles from the Herald Sun (a Victorian Newspaper):

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/spe...-1225823071408
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/nat...-1225822871846

For Australians

For all the Aussies here on CAL, I'd like to know your opinion regarding these two topics. Should Australia become an independent nation, and should we change our flag?

For non-Australians

For all the people who aren't Australian, I'd like to know your opinion on these two issues as well.

[felixmartin]

i love the kangaroo flag!! that should be it, it'd totally represent the aussies. But it should be the kangaroo and then the stars around it IMO

[Hawse MD]

Hannah says (6:29 AM):
It is Australia Day!
Hannah says (6:30 AM):
Everyone all over the world should be partying
Horse says (6:31 AM):
Aren't you guys bitching about whether or not to break the yoke of mother england?
Hannah says (6:31 AM):
Eh
Hannah says (6:31 AM):
people do every aussie day
Hannah says (6:32 AM):
nothing ever happens about it.
Hannah says (6:32 AM):
Basically it just means we get new monies and the princes stop having such big visits.
Hannah says (6:32 AM):
i don't care either way.
Hannah says (6:32 AM):
Most of the country is more concerened about the hottest 100 music countdown