'Highly insulting': Bandt's Australian flag stunt slammed
Greens leader Adam Bandt's Australian flag "stunt" has been branded as "virtue signalling" and "highly insulting" this morning.
During a press conference yesterday Bandt refused to stand in front of the national emblem, arguing the symbol is hurtful to First Peoples.
"For many Australians, this flag represents dispossession and the lingering pains of colonisation," he said, calling for a new flag.
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The Australian flag was moved to the side, with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders flags front and centre. Supplied
Adam Bandt has been against the Australian flag for years, saying it evokes racism. Supplied
Jim Wilson from 2GB said the move was offensive.
"It is (a stunt). His ego is out of control," the radio presenter told Today.
"For him or his minder to go and move the Australian flag out of the shot of cameras was highly offensive, insulting.
"We had a Royal Commission into Veteran Suicide resume in Townsville yesterday - men and women who fought under the Australian flag. On the same day, you have this peanut who goes on and removes the Australian flag.
"I find it deeply offensive and not the Australia we want to embrace.
"Have all three flags, but don't remove the national flag".
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Bill Shorten is against the move, saying it encourages division. Today
Minister for Government Services Bill Shorten said the move only encourages division.
"Antics like this, this virtue signalling saying, 'I love First Nations People more than anyone else', is like the crunchy pupper of Australian politics," he said.
"It turns more people off than turns them on.
"He's counterproductive to the cause. At the end of the day, Australians want us to try and work together."
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