RSL Deplores Burning of National Flag
MEDIA RELEASE
The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) has condemned yesterday’s burning of the Australian National Flag by anti-monarchy protesters in Melbourne.
The RSL also expressed its severe disappointment at the actions of Greens’ Senator Lidia Thorpe who did not attend the memorial service in Canberra for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, instead opting to dip her hands in red paint symbolising blood and take to the streets to lead the Melbourne protest campaigning against the British monarchy.
RSL Australia President Greg Melick said the protestors’ burning of the Australian National Flag and campaigning against the monarchy on the National Day of Mourning, demonstrated a gross level of disrespect that would be denounced by all reasonable Australians.
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as Queen of Australia, was Patron of the RSL for more than 70 years and Australians, including First Nation’s people, have fought and died under the Australian National Flag over the decades.
“Both Her Majesty and our National Flag are entitled to and deserve the deepest respect.
“The protesters’ actions yesterday were deplorable and dishonoured Australian service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.”
Greg Melick said our veterans fought for the right for Australians to freely express themselves. But they did not fight to enable protesters to desecrate our Australian National flag and disrespect the late Monarch, who provided diligent and unstinting service to Australia and the British Commonwealth for more than seven decades
