Donald calls for New Zealand flag referendum

Green MP Rod Donald will be asking the Prime Minister to hold a referendum at the next election on the future of the NZ flag.

“The New Zealand flag is a potent symbol of our identity as a nation and I’m concerned that we’re often mistaken for Australia or a British colony on the world stage,” said Mr Donald, the Greens’ Co-leader.

“While every New Zealander would have been proud to see our flag raised when the Evers-Swindell twins won gold in the double sculls, most kiwis would’ve disappointed that it hung limp and indistinguishable from the Australian flag. In contrast, the silver fern emblazoned on uniforms was instantly recognisable.

“I’m not pushing for the silver fern to become our nation’s new flag. That’s for the people of New Zealand to decide through a binding referendum.

“But I am calling on the Government to formally initiate the referendum process by conducting a binding poll at the next election which would ask New Zealanders to decide whether or not they want to change the flag.

“The next step could be to either follow the process outlined by nzflag.com, which involves an alternative flag being designed and put to a second referendum, or a number of designs could be presented for New Zealanders to choose from by preferential vote at the second referendum,” he said.

“I would invite the Prime Minister to give this issue serious consideration. Clearly there is a growing momentum for change and it is appropriate for the Government to take the lead now rather than expect a Citizen’s Initiated Referenda to set the agenda.

“I hope MPs from all parties will support this initiative,” said Mr Donald.

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>