A great party gift
Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 4:08 pm
I now know what I am going to get for my birthday! How is this offensive? It is only a useless rag!
Flag-burning kits offensive, says RSL
Federal politicians have joined the RSL in condemning a plan to distribute flag-burning kits to university students across the country.
The socialist youth group Resistance says the kits, which contain an Australian flag and a lighter, are a protest against what it says are increasing nationalism and racism.
The RSL's national president, Major-General Bill Crews, has described the kits as highly offensive.
The Opposition's education spokeswoman, Jennie Macklin, says they are disrespectful.
The Federal Education Minister, Julie Bishop, says flag-burning denigrates the country, but she has ruled out taking any legislative action.
"It is an offence in some countries but I would not like to legislate to make martyrs of people who try to outrage others by burning our flag," she said.
"Our country is renowned for its freedoms, we have a right to freedom of speech, a right to express ourselves but of course with every right comes a responsibility."
Resistance Queensland spokeswoman Stella Riethmuller says the group believes the negative connotations of the Australian flag outweigh the positive.
"We just see it as a symbol of the oppression of Aboriginal people, locking up refugees, our dodgy industrial relations laws, attacks of education and education cuts, our collaboration with the United States."
Flag-burning kits offensive, says RSL
Federal politicians have joined the RSL in condemning a plan to distribute flag-burning kits to university students across the country.
The socialist youth group Resistance says the kits, which contain an Australian flag and a lighter, are a protest against what it says are increasing nationalism and racism.
The RSL's national president, Major-General Bill Crews, has described the kits as highly offensive.
The Opposition's education spokeswoman, Jennie Macklin, says they are disrespectful.
The Federal Education Minister, Julie Bishop, says flag-burning denigrates the country, but she has ruled out taking any legislative action.
"It is an offence in some countries but I would not like to legislate to make martyrs of people who try to outrage others by burning our flag," she said.
"Our country is renowned for its freedoms, we have a right to freedom of speech, a right to express ourselves but of course with every right comes a responsibility."
Resistance Queensland spokeswoman Stella Riethmuller says the group believes the negative connotations of the Australian flag outweigh the positive.
"We just see it as a symbol of the oppression of Aboriginal people, locking up refugees, our dodgy industrial relations laws, attacks of education and education cuts, our collaboration with the United States."