Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The opposition will not be supporting this motion, not because we encourage or endorse burning the Australian flag but because we recognise the right of people to do so in a democracy. I note the following remarks on this subject:

… I see that kind of thing as just an expression, however offensive to the majority of the community—

that is, the Australian community—

an expression of political opinion. I don't think we achieve anything by making it a criminal offence, we only turn yahoo behaviour into martyrdom …

In a democracy, we do not make political expression a criminal offence, no matter that opinion. In fact, we do everything we can to protect people's right to express it. These words are from former Prime Minister John Howard, certainly no friend of Labor. Senator Anning would do well to reflect on them. Senator Anning could actually bring a bill into this place to give effect to his views, but he chooses not to. I look forward to those on the government benches, who purport to be defenders of freedom and liberty, joining with Labor to oppose this motion.