Australian state moves to criminalize burning of national flag

Burning or desecrating an Australian flag could become illegal in the state of Victoria, under a new bill drafted in parliament on Thursday.

Shooters and Fishers Party MP Daniel Young hoped the potential law will protect the sanctity of Australia's national flag, which in recent times has become used by some provocateurs as a divisive symbol.

"I have been approached by a number of people in the community requesting something be done to protect the Australian national flag from people who might wish to burn or deface it," Young said in comments published by the Australian Associated Press (AAP) on Thursday.

Young said the plan would make it an on-the-spot offence to defile the flag, but offenders would be unlikely to serve any jail time.

"It's around preventing situations where it (flag burning) could cause riotous behavior or where it could be used to incite people," he said.

"It's highly offensive to people who are patriotic to Australian values."

In recent years, the Australian public has regularly broached the topic of changing the flag, with many believing it is outdated due to its links with the British empire and failure to recognize the nation's indigenous roots.

But Young is a staunch supporter of the current design.

"I love our country and I love our flag," he said on Thursday.

"I always said if they ever change the Australian flag I am going to get it tattooed on me. I am not trying to shut down a debate about (changing the flag) though."

Flag desecration is illegal in many countries around the world, such as China, Argentina and Germany.

Given that micro parties and the Greens hold the balance of power in Victoria's upper house, the Legislative Council, the legislation has a reasonable chance of reaching the lower house.

The bill will be debated at length next year.