Pledge of allegiance matters

Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek is right when she says the pledge of allegiance taken by new citizens expresses “the rights we hold and the responsibilities we owe’’. We like her idea that children should learn about it and recite it, pledging “my loyalty to Australia and its people, whose democratic beliefs I share, whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I will uphold and obey”.

Ms Plibersek, from Labor’s Left, says there is nothing inconsistent about being progressive and patriotic. The hostility of the Greens and many on the left, however, revealed disturbing thinking, including blatant disdain for patriotism. Novelist Jane Caro, an Order of Australia recipient, condemned Ms Plibersek for endorsing pride in “spurious geography”. NSW Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi, who tweeted about “stolen land’’ and “oppression’’, said the proposal was sad. ABC host Wendy Harmer said: “No. When it comes to inceasingly (sic) draconian laws which kerb (sic) citizens’ right to protest, increasing authoritarianism and surveillance?’’ Others said it contradicted the history of workers. Pauline Hanson matched the addled non-sequiturs, rejecting the idea but favouring more attention to the national anthem in schools.