January 26th 2025

[Johnny Bananas]

If yesterday, I'd walked down Flinders Street carrying an Australian flag I would have been abused.
If yesterday, I'd walked down Flinders Street carrying a Hamas flag, I would have been welcomed with open arms.

You wouldn't walk down the street with any flags, you're too cowardly for that. But in your head you'll invent whatever scenario makes you the righteous, brave victim. You want that victimhood so bad!

 

[HirdsTheWord]

just put this shit to a referendum and be done with it.

let people decide what they want.

 

[Doc1763]

You wouldn't walk down the street with any flags, you're too cowardly for that. But in your head you'll invent whatever scenario makes you the righteous, brave victim. You want that victimhood so bad!

LOL, it's the protesters playing the victim card.

 

[Carringbush2010]

Nope

Think you're getting confused with the Palestinian flag.

Would've definitely been arrested with a hamas flag. Some protesters might’ve welcomed though before your ride in a divvy van

 

[Johnny Bananas]

just put this shit to a referendum and be done with it.

let people decide what they want.

The problem is we're not like Switzerland, we don't have referendums every quarter, it takes great political capital to call a referendum, especially if it's unsuccessful, and it doesn't turn up on the ballot again in a couple of years. So people advocating a change will usually want to take their time to push for the referendum and make sure they do the ground work first to get a majority of people in favour. Well, unless you're Anthony Albanese and you expect things to magically fall into place without doing the work to make the case for it to the people.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

LOL, it's the protesters playing the victim card.

And you've been propagating a disgusting lie because you want to feel morally superior. You're a virtue signaller.

 

[Deliverance]

MAGA conservatism mostly revolves around being up in arms around things that haven't actually happened.

I feel like there's people in this thread who read Animal Farm and were rooting for Napoleon.

 

[Deliverance]

Nope

So, they only arrest people carrying hezbollah flags, not Hamas?

 

[GreyWind]

just put this shit to a referendum and be done with it.

let people decide what they want.

How would a referendum work?

 

[Lsta062]

If yesterday, I'd walked down Flinders Street carrying an Australian flag I would have been abused.
If yesterday, I'd walked down Flinders Street carrying a Hamas flag, I would have been welcomed with open arms.

You calling it a Hamas flag is all that I need to know about you.

 

[Lsta062]

MAGA conservatism mostly revolves around being up in arms around things that haven't actually happened.

Literally describes MAGA twitter every single day

 

[HirdsTheWord]

The problem is we're not like Switzerland, we don't have referendums every quarter, it takes great political capital to call a referendum, especially if it's unsuccessful, and it doesn't turn up on the ballot again in a couple of years. So people advocating a change will usually want to take their time to push for the referendum and make sure they do the ground work first to get a majority of people in favour. Well, unless you're Anthony Albanese and you expect things to magically fall into place without doing the work to make the case for it to the people.

This issue has been around for years, IMO just put it to a referendum and let the population decide.

The date will never be changed without one, a referendum is the only pathway.

There is little point continually discussing this every year without doing the actual thing that is required to change it.

 

[HirdsTheWord]

How would a referendum work?

Like they all do?

In practicality the date cannot be changed without a referendum, so let's just do one?

 

[Lunchtime]

just put this shit to a referendum and be done with it.

let people decide what they want.

Won't happen because it's not a Constitutional matter. Referendums only take place when it's to do with the Constitution.

 

[Pistol Night]

This issue has been around for years, IMO just put it to a referendum and let the population decide.

The date will never be changed without one, a referendum is the only pathway.

There is little point continually discussing this every year without doing the actual thing that is required to change it.

Let’s just wait until 25th of January next year before we discuss the possibility of a referendum

 

[Lunchtime]

Let’s just wait until 25th of January next year before we discuss the possibility of a referendum

Referendum will not happen because it has nothing to do with the Constitution.

 

[GreyWind]

Like they all do?

In practicality the date cannot be changed without a referendum, so let's just do one?

A referendum is for constitutional matters only. Australia Day is a constitutional matter.

 

[Lunchtime]

A referendum is for constitutional matters only. Australia Day is a constitutional matter.

Exactly

 

[HirdsTheWord]

A referendum is for constitutional matters only. Australia Day is a constitutional matter.

I know that but how else does this get resolved practically?

What government is actually going to change it without canvasing the population?

 

[Johnny Bananas]

This issue has been around for years, IMO just put it to a referendum and let the population decide.

Lots of things have been around for years, it doesn't mean the case has been made for them enough to put them to referendums.

The date will never be changed without one, a referendum is the only pathway.

What on earth are you talking about? It only takes an act of parliament, unless you're claiming we had a referendum in 1994 to recognise 26 January as Australia Day or it was in the constitution at Federation.

There is little point continually discussing this every year without doing the actual thing that is required to change it.

There's lots of point. We're allowed to have an ongoing public debate before going to a referendum. I suspect you're taking this stance because you don't want anything to change and you know a referendum would fail if held in the next year or two.

 

[HirdsTheWord]

Won't happen because it's not a Constitutional matter. Referendums only take place when it's to do with the Constitution.

no i mean know that, i more what what other practical way is there of doing it?

 

[Pistol Night]

no i mean know that, i more what what other practical way is there of doing it?

Did you throw a bit of rap freestyle at the start of that comment? Original

 

[liz]

This issue has been around for years, IMO just put it to a referendum and let the population decide.

The date will never be changed without one, a referendum is the only pathway.

There is little point continually discussing this every year without doing the actual thing that is required to change it.

Here is some information on referendums, plebiscites and postal surveys. Jan 26 is not mandated in the Constitution as an Australia Day public holiday and thus would not be the subject of a referendum.

Referendums and plebiscites - Parliamentary Education Office

A referendum is a vote of the Australian people on a proposed change to the Australian Constitution, while a plebiscite is a vote on an issue that does not affect the Constitution. This fact sheet explores the process of referendums and plebiscites in Australia.

peo.gov.au

If a polling of the nation on the subject were to be held now, it would almost certainly result in the status quo. I doubt there is anyone arguing in this thread for why the date should be changed disputes this.

However, the way our democracy works is that while the majority gets their way, others are permitted to continue to put forward the reasons for change, and/or show their disagreement by peacefully marching or demonstrating.

 

[HirdsTheWord]

Lots of things have been around for years, it doesn't mean the case has been made for them enough to put them to referendums.


What on earth are you talking about? It only takes an act of parliament, unless you're claiming we had a referendum in 1994 to recognise 26 January as Australia Day or it was in the constitution at Federation.


There's lots of point. We're allowed to have an ongoing public debate before going to a referendum. I suspect you're taking this stance because you don't want anything to change and you know a referendum would fail if held in the next year or two.

I have zero issues if they change the date, doesn't bother me personally - what practical way is something significant as this get resolved outside of a referendum? I know that they are usually only for constitutional matters but what government is going to take that step without canvasing the population?

 

[HirdsTheWord]

Here is some information on referendums, plebiscites and postal surveys. Jan 26 is not mandated in the Constitution as an Australia
day public holiday and this would not be the subject of a referendum.

Referendums and plebiscites - Parliamentary Education Office

A referendum is a vote of the Australian people on a proposed change to the Australian Constitution, while a plebiscite is a vote on an issue that does not affect the Constitution. This fact sheet explores the process of referendums and plebiscites in Australia.

peo.gov.au

If a polling of the nation on the subject were to be held now, it would almost certainly result in the status quo. I doubt there is anyone arguing in this thread for why the date should be changed disputes this.

However, the way our democracy works is that while the majority gets their way, others are permitted to continue to put forward the reasons for change, and/or show their disagreement by peacefully marching or demonstrating.

Yes I am aware referendums usually are for constitutional matters. Like I have said.

I am more speaking to the practicality of actually changing it. I don't see a government doing it unless they canvass the population.