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Reverend the Hon. FRED NILE [4.17 p.m.]: The Hon. David Clarke almost stole my thunder because I also wish to draw to the House's attention Australian National Flag Day. Today, 3 September 2003, citizens throughout the far reaches of this great land, including those involved in the celebration in Martin Place today, have celebrated Australia's National Flag Day. This day of commemoration is not jingoistic tokenism; it is an important celebration of our nationhood, our past, our diversity and our unification. The early founders of our nation came from Scotland under the cross of St Andrew, from England under the cross of St George, and from Ireland under the cross of St Patrick. These peoples unified the flag on 1 January 1801, and the flag was brought to our shores. Exactly 100 years from this unification, on 1 January 1901, Australians from all walks of life took hold of the destiny and united together under the great Southern Cross as one people. Our symbol for this unification was chosen from among a total of 32,823 suggestions from the people of this land. A number of those entries were similar.
On 3 September 1901, in the presence of Australia's first Prime Minister, Edmund Barton, the Australian national flag was officially flown "aloft and free" for the first time at the Royal Exhibition Buildings, in Melbourne, which was at that time the seat of the Federal Parliament. The sentiment freely expressed across the new States was of "One people, one nation, one flag, under God". That same sentiment is equally relevant today, as we affirm our unification with our indigenous nations and culturally diverse citizens. We continue to celebrate our past, our unity, our diversity, our current successes and strengths, and our collective future. May we continue to be mindful of the symbol of our nationhood on this day, and obviously oppose any citizens who seek to insult, abuse or, worse still, burn the Australian national flag. May God continue to bless all of us under our blue Australian skies. The Australian Flag Association has issued an Australian flag promise:
I promise allegiance to Australia and our flag of "Stars and Crosses".
To serve my country and all its people faithfully.
And to uphold Australia's laws, values and traditions.
There is also a poem by Robin Northover:
KEEP THE FLAG
Our flag bears the stars that blaze at night,
In our southern sky of blue,
And a little old flag in the corner
That's part of our heritage too.
It's for the English, the Scots and the Irish
Who were sent to the ends of the earth,
The rogues and schemers, the doers and dreamers
Who gave modern Australia birth.
And you, who are shouting to change it,
You don't seem to understand,
It's the flag of our law and our language
Not the flag of a faraway land.
(Though there are plenty of people who'll tell you,
How when Europe was plunged into night,
That little old flag in the corner
Was their symbol of freedom and light.)
It doesn't mean we owe allegiance
To a forgotten imperial dream;
We've the stars to show where we're going.
And the old flag to show where we've been.
Proud to be an Australian—fly the Australian national flag.