People should judge new flag

Congratulations to the 12 Australians of the Year who came out to support a new flag and a republic.

The political leadership of the major parties, predictably and deplorably, again proved to be living in the past on these issues.

We could do with a greater diversity of representation in our parliaments.

My new flag design is a clear and convincing alternative to the current flag and will end any international confusion.

It represents Australian values, history and ambitions.

The red, white and blue are the colours of the current flag, the gold, red and black represent the Indigenous colours, the green and gold represent the place of sport in Australian society and the green represents the importance of agriculture and the growing significance of environmental values.

The design as a whole signifies a new dawn of Australia.

The unusual rays combination presents a flag that is a departure from conventional designs. I want this flag judged by the people of Australia, not by a panel of professional experts who tend to have conventional values.

Letter, 28 Jan 2011 Klaas Woldring, Pearl Beach