RSA Says Scrap Second Flag Referendum If No Clear Favourite Emerges

The Royal New Zealand RSA is calling on the government’s Justice and Electoral Select Committee to only approve the second referendum if there’s clear majority support for an alternative to the existing New Zealand flag.

The Justice and Electoral Committee met today to discuss submissions to the New Zealand Flags Referendum Bill and will report back to parliament at the end of next month.

The Royal New Zealand RSA, in a supplementary submission delivered on Wednesday, maintained its opposition to the two referendums while recommending that a second one could only be justified if there was more than 50 percent support for one flag preference.

In the first referendum people will be asked to choose from four alternative designs for a national flag and the preferred design will then be submitted alongside our existing flag in the second referendum next year.

The RNZRSA is concerned the preferred choice will be approved by a minority vote with more people collectively supporting the other three choices.

“If that’s the likely outcome then New Zealand people will choose between our existing flag and an alternative that less than 50 percent of them want,” RSA Chief Executive, David Moger, says.

“That’s an entirely flawed process and goes against this country’s long standing principle of fair play. We have requested the Justice and Electoral Select Committee recommends to parliament that the second referendum be scrapped if no clear favourite emerges.”

David Moger says the cost of $26 million is insupportable at a time when many sectors are finding it difficult to make ends meet and no explanation has been given to justify the scale of spending on a project which has no public mandate.

“In recent polls and in vox pops carried out by media, our existing flag enjoys 70 percent support from New Zealand people,” he says.

“Our position has been that, if the two-part referendum is to go ahead, it should be based on one question only ‘Do you want to change the current NZ flag – yes or no?’ But with the Flag Consideration Panel touring the country to publicise their activities and encourage alternative designs, it appears that no amount of opposition will discourage the government from implementing the process.”

The RNZRSA is now highlighting the morality of a second referendum where a minority choice could go up against the existing New Zealand flag.

In a further recommendation they have asked the Select Committee that adequate funding be provided to explain and publicise the benefits of retaining the existing flag.

In its first submission to the Select Committee on May 7, RNZRSA President, BJ Clark, pointed to the New Zealand flag being flown proudly at Gallipoli to mark the centenary of the Anzac campaign and at Anzac Day ceremonies throughout New Zealand in front of record numbers of people.

“We acknowledge the right of all New Zealanders to have a say in the flag that represents us but it’s totally insensitive and inappropriate that this debate occurs as we commemorate the centenary of the First World War,” he said.

ENDS

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