Part 2/13:
A significant segment of the night revolved around recent protests involving flag burning, which have sparked heated debates in Australia. Phil Thompson, a Member of Parliament known for his conservative stance, proposed criminalizing the public burning of Australian flags. Critics argue this could infringe on fundamental freedoms, while supporters see it as a necessary step to preserve national dignity.
Mia Schlick emphasized the importance of free speech and the right to protest, asserting that while burning the flag is reprehensible, it should remain protected under free expression laws—similar to rulings in the United States where such acts have been deemed symbolic speech.