Federal Education Minister Jason Clare has delivered a blunt assessment of a man who burned the Australian flag during a Brisbane Invasion Day protest, calling him "an idiot" as renewed calls grow to criminalise the act across the nation.
Political Pressure Intensifies Over Flag Desecration
The minister's strong comments come after footage emerged showing an Indigenous protester setting the national flag alight on Monday, sparking immediate controversy and debate. This incident has significantly intensified political pressure on the federal government, with the opposition arguing that the Australian flag represents a cherished national symbol deserving of legal protection.
Speaking during an appearance on Sunrise on Tuesday, Clare unequivocally condemned the flag-burning act but stopped short of endorsing new federal legislation. He warned that creating specific laws to ban flag burning could potentially backfire and give undue attention to offenders.
Minister's Direct Comments on the Incident
"I think this bloke's an idiot, I think this bloke doesn't understand how great this country really is," Clare stated emphatically during the television interview. "We should be looking up to the flag, celebrating the fact that we live in the best country in the world."
The federal opposition had attempted to introduce legislation banning flag burning in Parliament just last week, arguing that such acts are deeply divisive and offensive to many Australians. Their position appears to have substantial public backing, with a recent national poll revealing that 77 per cent of Australians support making flag burning a criminal offence.
Existing Laws and Potential Consequences
However, Minister Clare pointed out that state-based laws already provide police with powers to respond to such incidents under certain circumstances. He cautioned against hastily creating new offences that might inadvertently elevate the status of attention-seeking individuals.
"This bloke's obviously an attention seeker, and he got the attention he was looking for," Clare remarked, suggesting that legislative overreaction could play into such tactics.
Broader Concerns About National Day Events
When pressed repeatedly about whether burning the Australian flag should become a federal offence, Clare indicated the issue required careful legal consideration but maintained that the flag deserves universal respect.
"We do need to send a message to these people that this is a country we should be proud of," he asserted. "This is a flag we should be proud of. It's not a flag we should be burning."
The education minister revealed this was just one of several concerning incidents he witnessed during yesterday's national day events. He also mentioned a bomb threat in Perth and reports of neo-Nazi activity occurring alongside celebrations.
"Yesterday, we saw some seriously bad things," Clare noted with concern. "In Perth, someone threw a bomb into a crowd. If that had worked, if that was real, then a lot of people could have been killed."
He added a sobering warning about escalating tensions: "Words can lead to bullets... We need to turn the temperature down here."
Contextualising the Protest Within Broader Australia
Clare stressed that the flag-burning protest reflected the actions of a minority and should not define Australia's national day for the broader population.
"Most Australians weren't protesting yesterday," he observed. "Most Australians were at a barbecue with their mates, having a bit of pav, having a few beers, catching up with their friends before they go back to work or before school starts."
Public sentiment appears strongly aligned with criminalisation efforts, as demonstrated by a Sunrise viewer poll conducted during the discussion. The poll showed overwhelming 95 per cent support for making flag burning illegal, indicating significant public backing for legislative action despite the minister's reservations about potential unintended consequences.
