Poll: A question to my fellow Aussies (and anyone else interested)

[MercurySteam]

People have debated over this for ages. The answer however, is quite simple.

Don't fix what aint broke.

 

[Hiraeth]

OT: If you change the flag, you are breaking ties with the Queen and the Commonwealth (not officially of course, but I bet it will be seen that way). I thought you liked the Queen over there?

Not particularly. I mean, I'm sure she's a nice lady, but she doesn't really do anything. I'd also like to assure you that there are probably ten people in the whole country who car that a little old lady on the other side of the world is sad we're breaking ties with her. She hasn't even been to visit in... When did she come to visit. 2002? I personally suspect that the only reason we're not already a republic is because at the last referendum the liberal party managed to propose a scheme that no one really liked the sound of, whereby a president would be elected by parliament, and not the people.

As for changing the flag and/or anthem, I'll wait until we do actually become a republic, doesn't seem like there's much point until then.

 

[fletch_talon]

I think its a horrible idea.

First we become a republic.
Then we change the flag.
Then the anthem...

Next thing you know we're driving on the wrong side of the road, eradicating the letter U from common words and using an illogical date format.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Not to mention your flag also sounds vaguely familiar it just needs some sort of gloves and shorts... sport related perhaps.

A boxing kangaroo, you mean?

Unfortunately, kangaroos make rubbish boxers...they aren't trying to punch their opponent, they are trying to grab them and then jump up and eviscerate them with their hind feet.

Which would lead to them being disqualified, except maybe in a bout where there was lots of money and they turn a blind eye to the most blatant cheating.

 

[Funkysandwich]

Our anthem sucks, and probably should be changed, but keep the flag.

 

[Spoonius]

I think that the aboriginal people should be given governing control of all the land.

They were conquered, just like a thousand other cultures throughout human history.

And they have it a lot better than any others ever did.

 

[Vanilla Vanish]

I think its a horrible idea.

First we become a republic.
Then we change the flag.
Then the anthem...

Next thing you know we're driving on the wrong side of the road, eradicating the letter U from common words and using an illogical date format.

Do you not find it strange that the Australian head of state is a Brit?

 

[Flames66]

I think that the aboriginal people should be given governing control of all the land.

They were conquered, just like a thousand other cultures throughout human history.

And they have it a lot better than any others ever did.

Aren't we trying to evolve past our warlike nature?

 

[Astoria]

One response to this: if it isn't broken don't fix it. There is nothing wrong with our anthem or flag, there is no point changing them, I don't see why people think we need to change, the only possible explanation is that they have a huge inferiority complex when it comes to the Brits, which in itself is stupid also.

I second this. Changing our flag and anthem will achieve nothing and is completely unnecessary.

Can I just ask how you'd define if a flag and anthem was broken?

 

[Thaluikhain]

I think that the aboriginal people should be given governing control of all the land.

They were conquered, just like a thousand other cultures throughout human history.

And they have it a lot better than any others ever did.

Aren't we trying to evolve past our warlike nature?

Given land currently belonging to someone else to people because of who there ancestors were isn't much better than taking it in the first place. Just look at the Middle East.

 

[John the Gamer]

You should take pride in your commonwealth status. Australia is a wealthy nation; remember your roots and take pride in your heritage and how you got through the ages. Don't just throw it away. Treasure it.

 

[Fanta Grape]

I think we should give more credit to the aborigines. Other than that, nothing, really. Australia really is just a chip off the old block of Britain so having such a strong association with it is perfectly legitimate.

 

[Vanilla Vanish]

You should take pride in your commonwealth status. Australia is a wealthy nation; remember your roots and take pride in your heritage and how you got through the ages. Don't just throw it away. Treasure it.

I don't think that treasuring our heritage and evolving and developing our national identity are mutually exclusive things. In fact, I say we should have an anthem that better reflects our heritage, rather than this boring "Young, free and girt by sea" dribble.

 

[TheModWolf]

I'm really not a fan of the whole "Britain Junior" things all my English mates give me stick for, but no way should we change either. That's our heritage, people fought for that flag. The anthem isn't great but it's history, and the flag is too entrenched in our society to change it, along with there being ultimately nothing wrong with them aside from a reference to our past.

 

[AngloDoom]

One response to this: if it isn't broken don't fix it. There is nothing wrong with our anthem or flag, there is no point changing them, I don't see why people think we need to change, the only possible explanation is that they have a huge inferiority complex when it comes to the Brits, which in itself is stupid also.

See, about half my relatives live in Australia and they often jokingly refer to my family in England as the "pommy" side of the family, often crack jokes about the English in reference to us, and sound genuinely pitying when I say something negative about England as if Australia is free from any such flaw.

I think it depends on the person: from my experience it seems to be Australia people not wanting to be associated with a country they genuinely don't like, rather than feel inferior to.

Then again, I'm not actually Australian so maybe it's one of those 'jealousy' reactions: although I simply can't see why...

 

[WJC]

Both should change, but it's hard to see how.
Advance Australia Fair, while typifying Australia with its materialist glurge, is a non-descript piece of woozle, although I doubt the replacement would be any better considering it would have to be thoroughly politically correct and chosen in a popular competition etc etc etc
The flag should be changed considering the whole Union Jack thing, perhaps like what Canada did, but the only meaningful non-tacky flag design around is a Eureka/Southern Cross design which apparently has racist connotations

 

[Dimensional Vortex]

So the debate continues to rage on. Should Australia break all remaining ties to Britain? Is it time for us to change our flag to something new? Having said that should we also change our national anthem while we're at it? I personally think that we should become a republic and change the flag. The anthem I'm not sure about though. Your thoughts escapists?

Yea but then we lose a lot of the Queens protection over us, we will start having to defend ourselves a lot better, which means less money into buildings, education and all those things we need. Also, I kid you not, a lot of people when talking about this were asking if we will still be able to play in the Commonwealth games. I know a lot of Australians like their sports but something like this shouldn't be decided if you will play in the commonwealth games or not.

Now I know our flag isn't bad ass or really cool, like that one place which for some reason has an Ak-47 on the flag. But our flag is sacred, and I know how ignorant this sounds but, I don't think we will be able to break our bonds with England until the older generations die. It seems that the older generations are far more thankful to be with England than any of the younger ones, I asked my grandparents this same topic and they think strongly we should stay with England. When a lot of the older people are gone this topic will be probably taken a lot more seriously.

PS: I just had a thought, imagine if Australia was a dictatorship or a communist country.

 

[Athlumney]

I have spent a fair amount of time in Australia.

I don't think either need changing. The flag is very pretty and the fact it acknowledges the United Kingdom is not a bad thing at all. Also, the Australian National Anthem is one of the only ones I know that doesn't talk about God, killing, war, patriotism and false delusions of honor. Instead it talks about the goodness of the human spirit and is a very beautiful song.

I don't think the flag needs changing but I don't like the anthem very much.

Just a nitpick but the entire second verse of the anthem is based on praising God and goes like this.

With Christ our head and cornerstone
We'll build our nations might
Whos way and truth and light alone can guide our path aright
Our lives a sacrifice of love reflects our masters care
With faces turned to heaven above advance Australia fair
In joyfull strains and let us sing advance Australia fair.

Yes that is how the very rarely sang and relatively unknown second verse goes.

Edit: While typing this my internet uncapped and made me feel better.

 

[Spoonius]

I think that the aboriginal people should be given governing control of all the land.

They were conquered, just like a thousand other cultures throughout human history.

And they have it a lot better than any others ever did.

Aren't we trying to evolve past our warlike nature?

Yes. That's why they receive more government support than we do, and are free to live in their own isolated communities (their choice, not ours). Unfortunately, conditions in these communities are appalling, and many exist within third-world conditions, but they tend to reject outside help. Those that do choose to live in metropolitan areas are treated just like any other person.

I have NEVER, in my entire life, witnessed an act of racism towards an Aboriginal person. Yes, I acknowledge that they were treated unfairly in the past; how could I talk about racism towards Aboriginals and not mention the Stolen Generation? But how many conquered peoples throughout history have fared as well, and been treated so generously by their conquerers?