LETTER TO THE EDITOR – NATIONAL FLAG DAY

Dear Editor,

Saturday, 3 September is Australian National Flag Day. A day to celebrate with pride the anniversary of the Australian National Flag and all that it represents.

Proclaimed in 1996 as a national day, it celebrates the first time the flag was flown on 3 September 1901. Since that day, flying the Australian Flag has been a way of expressing pride in our nation, respect for our heritage and acknowledgement of our history.

This week, I’ll be reflecting on values the Australian National Flag represents; respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual, freedom of religion, commitment to the rule of law, Parliamentary democracy, equality of opportunity regardless of gender, race, religion or ethnic background.

These are the values I serve to uphold and unlike the Greens I’m immensely proud of the Australian National Flag. I urge all Australians to be proud of these values and proud of our Flag.

This year, to celebrate our Flag, bumper stickers are available at my office for collection. By displaying these stickers we can demonstrate pride for our National Symbol and all it represents not just on National Flag Day, but everyday. I encourage your readers to drop into my office on Commercial Street East, Mount Gambier or Murray Bridge Green, Riverview Road in Murray Bridge and collect a sticker and join me in showing your pride for our Flag and our Nation.

Tony Pasin MP

Member for Barker