Liberal candidate for Gilmore, Andrew Constance, has told Sky News that he will stand behind Peter Dutton’s decision to only stand in front of the Australian flag if elected Prime Minister.

Constance made the comments during an appearance on Sky News on 25 February, where he was joined by Kate Dezarnaulds. The segment, hosted by Paul Murray, allowed both candidates to share their ideas and solutions for the Gilmore electorate ahead of the upcoming election.

An audience member asked both candidates if, if elected, they would display the Australian flag in their offices or shopfronts.

Both Mr Constance and Ms Dezarnaulds replied yes, and then Mr Constance continued.

“We have one national flag and I am very proud that my leader has indicated that he will only stand in front of the Australian flag as the Prime Minister,” Mr Constance said.

Since elected in 2022, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stood in front of all three flags - the Australian flag, the Australian Aboriginal flag, and the Torres Strait Islander flag.

Mr Constance refers to Peter Dutton’s comments late in 2024, where he stated that he would only stand in front of one flag - the Australian flag - as it was “dividing our country unnecessarily.”

In response to this, current Gilmore MP Fiona Phillips, who was absent from the Sky News talk, stated that she has always supported all three flags and that it is important Australia continues to do so.

“On 14 July 1995, the Australian Aboriginal Flag and Torres Strait Islander Flag were proclaimed as flags of Australia under section 5 of the Flags Act 1953 (Commonwealth of Australia Gazettes S259 and S258),” says Mrs Phillips.

“As an Australian, I am always proud to display all three flags, including in my electorate office and official functions as the Federal Member for Gilmore. We are lucky to live in the most beautiful place with a diversity of people, rich in history and culture with our First Nations people - that is something I am immensely thankful for,” she adds.

Mrs Phillips says she was unable to attend the Sky News event because she was at a large Shoalhaven Business Chamber event at Bundanon.

“I was supporting local businesses and workers, which also included an excellent Welcome to Country,” says Mrs Phillips.

What are your thoughts? Email the Bugle: [email protected].