Coalition proposes flag-burning ban, Australia Day legislation; Labor cries desperation

The Australian Coalition unveiled a policy to criminalize flag burning and defacing historical monuments, with penalties up to one year in prison, and to legislate 26 January as Australia Day. The move, announced Sunday, is seen as an attempt to outflank One Nation on nationalist issues, though Coalition leaders deny this. Labor has dismissed the push as having an 'element of desperation', highlighting the political contestation over national symbols ahead of an election.