Opposition Leader Under Fire for Refusal to Support Single Flag, Blamed for Creating Discord
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has promised to only stand before one flag during official press conferences if he becomes the leader.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has criticized the opposition leader for always seeking division, following Peter Dutton’s statement that he would hold press conferences with just one flag if elected, instead of the current three.
The opposition’s stance has sparked various opinions overnight.
Current Prime Minister Albanese emphasized the importance of respect.
“Again, always looking for division, always looking for cultural differences,” he said on ABC Radio National on Dec. 11.
“It costs nothing to show respect, and the flags were designated back in 1995. I think it’s up to Mr. Dutton to explain why he has chosen to try to make this an issue.”
Rights Advocate Calls the Move ‘Disappointing’
Human rights advocate Pat Anderson issued a statement overnight explaining that the three flags are all official flags of the nation.
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“Dutton may choose to create his own false narrative, but these are the indisputable facts,” she said.
“The Morrison government paid more than $20 million (US$12.7 million) to obtain the copyright of the Aboriginal flag in 2022.
“The then-minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt of the LNP, said: ‘Now that the Commonwealth holds the copyright, it belongs to everyone, and no one can take it away.’
Anderson emphasized that flying the three flags was a gesture of unity.
“It’s deeply disappointing and disturbing that some people have extended the ‘no’ to all things recognizing, and more importantly celebrating, First Nations peoples, histories, and cultures,” she said.
Indigenous Figures Who Support the Stance
Shadow Indigenous Minister Jacinta Nampijinpa Price agreed with Dutton’s position.
The Indigenous MP noted that she and Dutton had both stood before the one flag to speak following the failed Voice referendum to amend the Australian Constitution.
“We stood in front of just the Australian flag because after that result particularly, it was evident to us that the Australian people want a united Australia where we are all represented by one flag,” she told Sky News on the night of Dec. 10.
“And we have to remember there were those that gave their lives for our freedoms in this country and did so united as one people of various different backgrounds, including Indigenous under the Australian flag.”
Indigenous researcher Anthony Dillon used social media to comment on the issue, stating that there was no disrespect from Dutton.
“I personally don’t care how many flags are on the stage where I sit/stand,” he said.
“However, to harshly criticize Dutton for his choice here is ridiculous.
“He did say, ‘We’re a country united under one flag.’ That’s not disrespectful.”
