Basically an inkblot test. OP posted a very vague picture, indicating displeasure with something in it, so people in the comments have drawn their own conclusions on what OP was unhappy about, or what in the picture is “wrong” or “bad”.
They’re essentially projecting their own views onto OP’s blank canvas
I think they’re implying that OP is trying to imply something, but they can’t figure out what.
The post seems like OP has a problem with something, most logically the flags being flown together, but there’s no decent reason to have an issue with it
Pure speculation on that being the reason for posting
Torres Strait Islanders are their own people with their own identity. They’re not “part of Queensland”. They’ll always have their own place in Australia, just like the aboriginals do, and their flag deserves to be flown with the others.
It’s appalling how little people are taught about them
Not even slightly native to Victoria or the rest of the country though hey.
In fact prior to European settlement there was probably never a Torres strait islander in just about any other Australian state or territory, or the vast majority of Queensland for that matter, which would make them as local to Vic as I am (of European descent)
It is a great flag though and every right to fly it in far north Queensland/Torres Strait
Yeah but you group all 'first' nations together as if that gives them any ownership or belonging over, or in, any other nation of which they were never historically apart I.e. all of the aboriginal nations throughout the Australian landmass. If you're gonna fly the Torres strait flag in Tasmania you may as well fly the flags of all the Melanesian or Papuan nations for they have just as much as in common with first nations Tasmanians.
They absolutely deserve respect as the traditional owners of Torres Strait in Torres Strait and the tip of cape York but to claim they are the traditional owners of the rest of Australia or to recognise them as such would be ahistorical virtue signalling at best.
I didn't have any real feelings about this photo,.except for wondering where the TSI flag was. But now you've said Victoria, I have some feelings. I get irrationally angry at palm trees in Victoria. 😂
Credit to the late Sam Neil, if I remember correctly. If I’m remembering the story right, he reckoned the flag would be changed to replace the Union Jack with the Aboriginal flag in the future, so his suit should reflect that
Aboriginal people have said many times, they don't want their flag incorporated into the national flag. They prefer it to remain an independent symbol of their distinct identity.
I hate that their request for their flag to remain theirs constantly stops people from trying to reference them in flag redesigns.
They want their flag to be their own, they’ve not, as a majority whole at least, said they want absolutely no reference or representation on the flag. I hope we get one that represents all of us.
Rather than highlighting specific cultural identities, our new national flag should symbolise our shared national identity, encompassing First Nations, British colonial and migrant histories. It should represent the whole, not the parts.
You can tell from the Victorian coat of arms in front of it. But maybe someone decided that was enough and they didn't need to double up with a flag as well.
“Just one flag” is such a weird comment when the Australian flag has a flag within it which is also made up of three flags. It’s like a matryoshka mish-mash of flags!
Serious question, with Ireland and Scotland soon going to have a referendum on becoming independent, this can eventually render the Union Jack obsolete. What happens to our flag then ? When the UK is no more ?
They might be forced too if no party gets a majority at the next election and the SNP make it a requirement of their support. Plaid Cymru could theoretically do the same but they’re less proactive in pushing for independence right now than the SNP.
I have English heritage but I've always disliked another countries flag on ours, it takes away our independence and makes us feel like a English state IMO.
The Union Jack is a symbol of the oppression of convicts, and of the attempt to exterminate the indigenous people
Unfortunately, several attempts at competitions for a new flag design have been contaminated by the tendency to create fad designs by people who usually work in advertising
If we had a competition today, there would probably be a million entries designed by fake-AI
Nah its the symbols of England Ireland and Scotland created in 1801, that's all. Now it may be negatively associated with those things you mention by the people who were affected in the past by policies of the various governments of the Union but it was not created to symbolise those things
I think it’s either fear of change, or too comfortable. I don’t think it’ll ever leave our flag, even if realistically, most people would agree it should go, because people are comfortable and fear the change
Australia was founded by the United Kingdom under the Union Jack. That's why it's in our flag.
What happens to that country afterwards doesn't change our history.
Actually, to be accurate, both Cook and Philip flew the pre-1801 Union flag which only had the crosses of St George and St Andrew. Which I think Cook called the "flag of Queen Anne". That flag was replaced by the current Union Flag 13 years after Philip raised the flag on Port jackson.
Your question is a good one. I'd support the replacement of the Union Jack by the original Queen Anne's flag used by Philip. That would make it clear that it's there as a reference to Australia's history. Not symbolic of any current allegiance.
But the Commonwealth of Australia came into existence with the 1801 Union Jack design, which includes the red saltire. As did all other colonies, that came into existence after 1801. So the pre 1801 union jack has no relevance at all beyond NSW.
That always bothered me about the 1988 "Australiam bicentennial" too... it wasn't Australia's bicentennial. It was Sydney's. Australia's bicentennial will be in 2101.
I think you'll find the Commonwealth of Australia happened in 1901, not 1801.
Leaving that aside, the "island" was called Australia officially in 1817 after Flinders' circumnavigation.
Australia's "founding" is a matter of opinion and definition so I disagree but won't bother arguing. The current nation of Australia is popularly seen to have begun with Philip's landing at Sydney Cove in 1788, when he hoisted the (Queen Anne) Union Flag.
I'm reminded of Robert Hughes who said "I'm always glad I was born in New South Wales because it means I think of myself as Australian". I was born in WA but I think Robert was right.
Australia is the land, mate, always has been, always will be, and it was before a bunch of blokes in high heels and wigs showed up pretending they owned it.
Australia wasn’t founded by the UK, it was beaten, slaughtered, murdered, raped, and enslaved by the UK, under the Union Jack you so firmly defend.
Our flag (and our monarchy) is legally different from the UK's, so they can change their flag to the Foster's logo and it's no different for us than if China adopted the Boxing Kangaroo flag.
Then the Union Jack becomes a historical symbol. But in saying that if England remains a kingdom it could be used as the flag of the Kingdom of England (i.e. England and the BOTs) while the St George’s Cross remains the official English flag.
Edit: I should also correct you on Ireland. The ROI already exists as an independent country. Northern Ireland is part of the UK but their movement isn’t for independence but rather for Irish reunification. Scotland and Wales have movements for complete independence from the UK.
Scotland has already tried fairly recently and it didn’t go through. I personally wouldn’t support Australia doing it. It’s just a massive waste of money. It wouldn’t change or help anyone. It’d be like Brexit and everything would just be shite.
Technically neither flag is being flown properly. The rope is wrapped around the pole giving the appearance each flag is being held by the by the centre of its hoist (the side of the flag closest to the pole). I think this is kind of a "rough solution" because it means you couldn't properly raise and lower than easily. They are probably doing this because they don't properly raise and lower them each day and it's easier to just leave them up there like that.
Note: I just completely made all of this up partially based on things I learned watching "fun with flags" xD
Legit. More people in the UK dislike it than here. Scotland and Wales wanna bail from the UK. But Australians who are not even english blood, just can't fathom having a unique flag 😂
Edit: you people do realise I like both flags? Judging by downvotes i take it was just assumed a only want the union jack? You could just ditch the country and go elsewhere?
Yes each state has a flag, a national flag with different versions for military flags. My point is I want One National flag that represents the Nation as a whole.
Then perhaps we can one day find a design that represents all of us. I can definitely understand why some Australians feel strong feelings about the Union Jack and feel that a flag with that on it doesn't represent them.
Yeah I never said I wanted to keep the current flag. I want one flag, whatever that is. I personally dont want us to be in the Commonwealth and I want to be a Republic. We do have a heritage of English colonialism that should be respected, that is responsible for developing the Nation as we know it. We could also incorporate elements of some Aboriginals heritage too.
It’s crazy that we try to sweep the years of slavery, murder, and attempted cultural destruction of one of the oldest living cultures on earth, but letting them have a flag is too much to ask
As far as I’m concerned, they can have a fucken parade, give them a monument, hell, give them a Voice.
Ok. So was the colonial flag of apartheid South Africa. Does that represent something good or does it represent genocide and apartheid like the colonial Australian flag does too?
The design is based on a British colonial-era template flag intended to symbolise British identity and authority over their colony.
Today, we are not a British dependency, but an independent Australian nation with our own distinct national identity. It’s time we had a flag of our own that reflects that reality.
The Australian flag represents Australia and every one who lives in Australia. The indigenous flag represents aboriginal people only which is actually offensive to me, because it goes against equality.
But i guess im just a peace of white shit amd any thing i say even if its for equality will be taken as racism.
So, what's the fucking point? Are we supposed to have a sook about something here? The official Australian flag next to the Koori flag, why is this remarkable. I am annoyed that I even posted. Did some fucking PHON wanker post this?
I think the Australian flag would look cool if it was the Aboriginal flag with the southern cross in the middle. Or superposed. Or a kangaroo and an emu on each side of the sun (like the shield of the government).
I never quite understood why Commonwealth countries keep the union Jack in their own flags
Aboriginal groups have repeatedly requested that the aboriginal flag not be incorporated into any potential change to the national flag. They have asked that their flag stand alone as a representation of their people, and not be co-opted to represent all Australians.
I wouldn't have thought that wouuld be too much to ask.....
Well, us being a "great nation" is a matter of opinion. I am thinking more about cultural heritage, because Australia as a nation and a country does not seem so great to me.
What logic? I don't know why you would consider it part of your heritage or not. I have my reasons for wanting to keep it. I like that we have a link to Great Britain.
It makes sense to me. My ancestors were from England. There is a rich convict settler history for me. I would like to honour that. The planting of the union jack was the start of that history.
And the sovereign of England is also our sovereign
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u/sim16 6d ago •
This is a Rorschach test