Swimming legend Dawn Fraser calls for flag burners to be jailed or DEPORTED after Invasion Day events this week
Swimming great Dawn Fraser has called for people who burn the Australian flag to be jailed or deported, following a series of Invasion Day protests held across the country this week.
The swimming icon spoke out after footage emerged this week of an Australian flag being set alight at an Invasion Day rally in Brisbane, an act that has triggered political fallout and fierce public division nationwide.
Fraser said the burning of the flag crossed a clear line between protest and disrespect, arguing it undermined the sacrifices made by generations of Australians.
‘And if they don’t respect our country, if they come from another country they should be sent back.
‘But if they are Australians and they’ve burnt our flag, they should go straight to jail.’
Protesters are seen burning an Australian flag during an Invasion Day rally in Brisbane
Australian Olympic champion Dawn Fraser has called for those burning the flag to be jailed or deported
Invasion Day protests were held across the country on Australia Day in a bid to have the date changed
The 88-year-old, who won eight Olympic medals and carried the Australian flag on the world stage during her career, said representing the nation remained one of the greatest honours of her life.
‘It doesn’t matter if you get first, second or third, but to see the flag being raised at an Olympic Games gives you great honour,’ Fraser said.
She said the destruction of the flag ignored the reality that it had been carried into conflict zones and draped over coffins.
‘Servicemen and women have fought and sacrificed for our country under our flag,’ she said.
Veterans groups have echoed those sentiments, with advocates arguing that the national symbol represents more than politics or protest slogans.
Former serviceman Marc Diplock said the scenes from Brisbane were deeply confronting for those with military ties.
‘It represents so many sacrifices made by Australian Defence Force personnel over the past 120 years,’ he said.
‘For those people who fought or served under that flag, it is tragic to see people burning it on the national news. It is wrong that you can burn it without being held accountable.’
Fraser said burning the flag was disrespectful to servicemen and women who had fought for Australia
Fraser won eight Olympic medals and carried the Australian flag on the world stage during her career
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has thrown his support behind a federal ban on flag burning
Vietnam veteran Peter Watts said the images left him ‘disappointed – disgusted really,’ recalling funerals where fallen service members were honoured beneath the Australian flag.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has condemned the incident as ‘disgraceful’ and confirmed he would support a federal ban on flag burning, while noting the issue while noting the issue falls outside state jurisdiction.
‘It’s a symbol of who we are as a nation,’ he said. ‘We should be proud of that.’
Federal leaders remain split, with some warning against escalating tensions while others argue national symbols deserve explicit legal protection. Police have confirmed they are aware of the Brisbane incident but are not pursuing charges.
Supporters of the protest say flag burning is a form of political expression on a day many First Nations people regard as one of mourning, while critics argue it alienates the broader community and inflames division.
Polling suggests Fraser’s view aligns with a majority of Australians, with most supporting making flag burning illegal and significant numbers backing jail time as a penalty.
As lawmakers debate whether national symbols should be shielded by stronger laws, Fraser has made it clear she believes the issue is about respect, not politics.
‘I think anyone who burns our flag does not respect our country,’ she said.
