❓ Opposition Leader Barnett asks Premier Gallop to support legislation outlawing flag desecration. Gallop declines, citing freedom of speech concerns and potential for community division.
AnsweredQoN 266Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
AUSTRALIAN FLAG, LEGISLATION TO OUTLAW DESECRATION 266. Mr C.J. BARNETT to the Premier: I refer to the proposal made by the Deputy Prime Minister yesterday to make the burning of the Australian flag a crime punishable by a heavy fine. In the interests of promoting national unity and pride in our country and its symbols, will the Premier join with the Opposition in supporting legislation in this House that would outlaw the desecration of both the Australian and Western Australian flags? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
I note the lack of imagination on the part of the Western Australian opposition leader on this issue. Like many Australians, I am disturbed when I see the Australian flag burnt. I am a believer in the Australian flag. Others of a republican persuasion want to change our flag, but I do not. I like the flag and what it represents. However, what we are really arguing about is not whether people should desecrate the Australian flag but whether it would be in the interests of our community to pass a law banning such a thing. It is my judgment that it would not be. This issue has been raised many times in political debate in Australia. Indeed, this issue is frequently raised in the United States. As we know, under the Constitution of the United States, this is regarded as a free speech issue. Indeed, it could be argued that under the High Court’s interpretation - Mr M.F. Board: It is the symbol of our country. Dr G.I. GALLOP: It may be the symbol of our country, and I defend it very strongly, but what the Opposition is advocating would create unnecessary division in our community. I stand up for not only the Australian flag but also the freedom of our citizens.
AUSTRALIAN FLAG, LEGISLATION TO OUTLAW DESECRATION
I refer to the proposal made by the Deputy Prime Minister yesterday to make the burning of the Australian flag a crime punishable by a heavy fine. In the interests of promoting national unity and pride in our country and its symbols, will the Premier join with the Opposition in supporting legislation in this House that would outlaw the desecration of both the Australian and Western Australian flags? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I note the lack of imagination on the part of the Western Australian opposition leader on this issue. Like many Australians, I am disturbed when I see the Australian flag burnt. I am a believer in the Australian flag. Others of a republican persuasion want to change our flag, but I do not. I like the flag and what it represents. However, what we are really arguing about is not whether people should desecrate the Australian flag but whether it would be in the interests of our community to pass a law banning such a thing. It is my judgment that it would not be. This issue has been raised many times in political debate in Australia. Indeed, this issue is frequently raised in the United States. As we know, under the Constitution of the United States, this is regarded as a free speech issue. Indeed, it could be argued that under the High Court’s interpretation - Mr M.F. Board: It is the symbol of our country. Dr G.I. GALLOP: It may be the symbol of our country, and I defend it very strongly, but what the Opposition is advocating would create unnecessary division in our community. I stand up for not only the Australian flag but also the freedom of our citizens.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I note the lack of imagination on the part of the Western Australian opposition leader on this issue. Like many Australians, I am disturbed when I see the Australian flag burnt. I am a believer in the Australian flag. Others of a republican persuasion want to change our flag, but I do not. I like the flag and what it represents. However, what we are really arguing about is not whether people should desecrate the Australian flag but whether it would be in the interests of our community to pass a law banning such a thing. It is my judgment that it would not be. This issue has been raised many times in political debate in Australia. Indeed, this issue is frequently raised in the United States. As we know, under the Constitution of the United States, this is regarded as a free speech issue. Indeed, it could be argued that under the High Court’s interpretation - Mr M.F. Board: It is the symbol of our country. Dr G.I. GALLOP: It may be the symbol of our country, and I defend it very strongly, but what the Opposition is advocating would create unnecessary division in our community. I stand up for not only the Australian flag but also the freedom of our citizens.
I note the lack of imagination on the part of the Western Australian opposition leader on this issue. Like many Australians, I am disturbed when I see the Australian flag burnt. I am a believer in the Australian flag. Others of a republican persuasion want to change our flag, but I do not. I like the flag and what it represents. However, what we are really arguing about is not whether people should desecrate the Australian flag but whether it would be in the interests of our community to pass a law banning such a thing. It is my judgment that it would not be. This issue has been raised many times in political debate in Australia. Indeed, this issue is frequently raised in the United States. As we know, under the Constitution of the United States, this is regarded as a free speech issue. Indeed, it could be argued that under the High Court’s interpretation - Mr M.F. Board: It is the symbol of our country. Dr G.I. GALLOP: It may be the symbol of our country, and I defend it very strongly, but what the Opposition is advocating would create unnecessary division in our community. I stand up for not only the Australian flag but also the freedom of our citizens.
Mr M.F. Board: It is the symbol of our country. Dr G.I. GALLOP: It may be the symbol of our country, and I defend it very strongly, but what the Opposition is advocating would create unnecessary division in our community. I stand up for not only the Australian flag but also the freedom of our citizens.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: It may be the symbol of our country, and I defend it very strongly, but what the Opposition is advocating would create unnecessary division in our community. I stand up for not only the Australian flag but also the freedom of our citizens.
AUSTRALIAN FLAG, LEGISLATION TO OUTLAW DESECRATION
I refer to the proposal made by the Deputy Prime Minister yesterday to make the burning of the Australian flag a crime punishable by a heavy fine. In the interests of promoting national unity and pride in our country and its symbols, will the Premier join with the Opposition in supporting legislation in this House that would outlaw the desecration of both the Australian and Western Australian flags? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I note the lack of imagination on the part of the Western Australian opposition leader on this issue. Like many Australians, I am disturbed when I see the Australian flag burnt. I am a believer in the Australian flag. Others of a republican persuasion want to change our flag, but I do not. I like the flag and what it represents. However, what we are really arguing about is not whether people should desecrate the Australian flag but whether it would be in the interests of our community to pass a law banning such a thing. It is my judgment that it would not be. This issue has been raised many times in political debate in Australia. Indeed, this issue is frequently raised in the United States. As we know, under the Constitution of the United States, this is regarded as a free speech issue. Indeed, it could be argued that under the High Court’s interpretation - Mr M.F. Board: It is the symbol of our country. Dr G.I. GALLOP: It may be the symbol of our country, and I defend it very strongly, but what the Opposition is advocating would create unnecessary division in our community. I stand up for not only the Australian flag but also the freedom of our citizens.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I note the lack of imagination on the part of the Western Australian opposition leader on this issue. Like many Australians, I am disturbed when I see the Australian flag burnt. I am a believer in the Australian flag. Others of a republican persuasion want to change our flag, but I do not. I like the flag and what it represents. However, what we are really arguing about is not whether people should desecrate the Australian flag but whether it would be in the interests of our community to pass a law banning such a thing. It is my judgment that it would not be. This issue has been raised many times in political debate in Australia. Indeed, this issue is frequently raised in the United States. As we know, under the Constitution of the United States, this is regarded as a free speech issue. Indeed, it could be argued that under the High Court’s interpretation - Mr M.F. Board: It is the symbol of our country. Dr G.I. GALLOP: It may be the symbol of our country, and I defend it very strongly, but what the Opposition is advocating would create unnecessary division in our community. I stand up for not only the Australian flag but also the freedom of our citizens.
I note the lack of imagination on the part of the Western Australian opposition leader on this issue. Like many Australians, I am disturbed when I see the Australian flag burnt. I am a believer in the Australian flag. Others of a republican persuasion want to change our flag, but I do not. I like the flag and what it represents. However, what we are really arguing about is not whether people should desecrate the Australian flag but whether it would be in the interests of our community to pass a law banning such a thing. It is my judgment that it would not be. This issue has been raised many times in political debate in Australia. Indeed, this issue is frequently raised in the United States. As we know, under the Constitution of the United States, this is regarded as a free speech issue. Indeed, it could be argued that under the High Court’s interpretation - Mr M.F. Board: It is the symbol of our country. Dr G.I. GALLOP: It may be the symbol of our country, and I defend it very strongly, but what the Opposition is advocating would create unnecessary division in our community. I stand up for not only the Australian flag but also the freedom of our citizens.
Mr M.F. Board: It is the symbol of our country. Dr G.I. GALLOP: It may be the symbol of our country, and I defend it very strongly, but what the Opposition is advocating would create unnecessary division in our community. I stand up for not only the Australian flag but also the freedom of our citizens.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: It may be the symbol of our country, and I defend it very strongly, but what the Opposition is advocating would create unnecessary division in our community. I stand up for not only the Australian flag but also the freedom of our citizens.
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