‘Good luck buddy’: Project hosts’ fiery debate over Australian flag

Monday night’s episode of The Project led to a heated debate around the controversial subject of changing the Australian flag.

Following a tense discussion on NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet’s $25 million decision to permanently erect the Indigenous flag on Sydney Harbour Bridge, host Hamish Macdonald asked the panel if they think Australians are “moving to a point” where they will adopt a new national flag.

Journalist Steve Price responded with a firm “no”.

As Sydney Harbour Bridge gets a permanent Aboriginal flag, is it time Australia talked about it becoming the dominant flag we use? pic.twitter.com/VBRwf9JRrO

— The Project (@theprojecttv) July 11, 2022

When asked why, Price said, “Australians support the flag they’ve got”.

“We don’t need to change the flag. Who wants to change the flag?,” Price said.

Comedian and host Peter Helliar tried offering a differing opinion, “I think over time–”

“We only have one flag – that’s the Australian flag,” Price interjected. “If you want to have a referendum on the flag, good luck buddy.”

Carrie Bickmore joined the debate, saying: “I think as generations go on that will change.”

“No, it won’t,” Price stonewalled.

Helliar joked that Price would likely not be alive to see the change, saying: “It may not be an issue for you, Pricey. I mean who knows when it could happen? It could happen 10 years, 20 years, 30 years.”

“You’d like to get rid of the Australian flag, would you?” an agitated Price challenged.

“I’m happy to have a conversation about it, absolutely,” Helliar said.

“Well it would need a referendum, and it won’t get up,” Price said.

“Does it need … that?” Macdonald asked.

“Yes. Of course, it does!” Price seethed. “You don’t just chuck the flag out because a few people want it to be.”

Many Australians took to Twitter to weigh in on the debate.

Classic Boomer. If Australia isn’t in the Commonwealth then the flag would change anyway. And I think it’s inevitable. The indigenous flag is more Australian than the flag we have now. Embrace it. Change it.

— Jayde Mills (@jaydeskittle) July 11, 2022

Does Steve Price know what a referendum is? The flag is not in the constitution. It’s an act of Parliament

— josh (@joshc0) July 11, 2022

Great to see so many people that live in this country want to rip the guts out of it. Woke crap always catches up with itself. So many sheep.

— Toot (@Toot197519) July 11, 2022

It’s ridiculous that a few activists wanted the flag to change and we shall consider changing it. The leftists got so left that we no longer have the basics as a country

— Pene (stop the war please) (@penai12) July 11, 2022

Flags have been a contentious subject this year, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ensuring the Torres Strait and Aboriginal flags were flying alongside the Australian flag as he gave his first media conference as PM, and Greens Leader Adam Bandt refusing to speak in front of the Australian flag.