MEDIA RELEASE
1 September, 2025
Phillip Thompson Moves to Criminalise Burning the Australian Flag, Backed by 20,000 Signatures
Federal Member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson, today introduced a Private Member’s Motion in the Australian Parliament to criminalise the burning and desecration of the Australian National Flag, supported by 20,000 petition signatures.
“The Australian Flag represents the heart and soul of our nation – it’s the flag that unites us all as Australians,” Mr Thompson said in a speech in the House of Representatives.
“This is the flag that is proudly worn on the shoulders of our Defence Force and draped over the coffins of our fallen. Burning it is an insult to every Australian,” Mr Thompson said.
Since its launch two weeks ago, Mr. Thompson’s petition to criminalise burning the Australian flag attracted over 20,000 signatures, with tens of thousands more Australians voicing support via social media and email.
The overwhelming public support for Mr. Thompson’s motion is backed by recent polling which showed that 77% of Australians believe burning the National Flag should be against the law.
“Respecting the Australian Flag is not a controversial idea, because unlike the fringe radicals, most Australians cherish our flag”, Mr Thompson said.
“It’s a disgrace that this Prime Minister just allows thugs on our streets to set fire to our flag while waving the flags of listed terrorist organisations,” Mr. Thompson said.
Ahead of Flag Day on September 3rd, Mr. Thompson is calling on the Albanese Labor Government to support his motion to make burning and desecrating the Australian National Flag a criminal offence and to ban the display of listed terrorist organisation flags.
“If Labor refuses to protect our flag, this Parliament must condemn their failure to act”, he said.
“We must not fail our veterans, our service members, and every Australian who loves their country”, Mr Thompson said.
“We must protect the flag that unites us all as Australians.”
The Flags Act 1953 fails to criminalise burning the Australian Flag, with charges only applied when it involves stolen or vandalized property. Mr. Thompson’s motion calls on the Government to legislate to protect the Australian Flag in its own right.
Federal Member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson, today introduced a Private Member’s Motion in the Australian Parliament to criminalise the burning and desecration of the Australian National Flag, supported by 20,000 petition signatures.
“The Australian Flag represents the heart and soul of our nation – it’s the flag that unites us all as Australians,” Mr Thompson said in a speech in the House of Representatives.
“This is the flag that is proudly worn on the shoulders of our Defence Force and draped over the coffins of our fallen. Burning it is an insult to every Australian,” Mr Thompson said.
Since its launch two weeks ago, Mr. Thompson’s petition to criminalise burning the Australian flag attracted over 20,000 signatures, with tens of thousands more Australians voicing support via social media and email.
The overwhelming public support for Mr. Thompson’s motion is backed by recent polling which showed that 77% of Australians believe burning the National Flag should be against the law.
“Respecting the Australian Flag is not a controversial idea, because unlike the fringe radicals, most Australians cherish our flag”, Mr Thompson said.
“It’s a disgrace that this Prime Minister just allows thugs on our streets to set fire to our flag while waving the flags of listed terrorist organisations,” Mr. Thompson said.
Ahead of Flag Day on September 3rd, Mr. Thompson is calling on the Albanese Labor Government to support his motion to make burning and desecrating the Australian National Flag a criminal offence and to ban the display of listed terrorist organisation flags.
“If Labor refuses to protect our flag, this Parliament must condemn their failure to act”, he said.
“We must not fail our veterans, our service members, and every Australian who loves their country”, Mr Thompson said.
“We must protect the flag that unites us all as Australians.”
The Flags Act 1953 fails to criminalise burning the Australian Flag, with charges only applied when it involves stolen or vandalized property. Mr. Thompson’s motion calls on the Government to legislate to protect the Australian Flag in its own right.