Page 1163 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 24 June 1992
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The wattle has been very much part of Australia's history and is the flower that best describes Australia. Its bright yellow colour is considered in countries such as Thailand to be a royal colour. Those opposite, who seem to feel that royalty is very important - they all have flags on their desks, representing royalty - I am sure, will agree that wattle should be our national flower. I have always felt that wattle is a bright flower and represents hope. The former President of the Philippines wore yellow as an independent and a republican, and because it brought a feeling of hope, of independence, to the republic.
The golden wattle is a most suitable floral emblem for Australia, and the proclamation of 1 September as Wattle Day will recognise its rightful place in Australian history and tradition. When we as Australians come to have our own flag, we could look at putting wattle on the flag, as the Canadians have put the maple leaf on their flag. I think we would all feel very proud to have a flag with wattle on it to serve under - a flag that represents all Australians, no matter what their ethnic background, rather than a flag that represents the ethnic background of only certain people who came to this country. With a Spanish and Irish background, I would love to see wattle on the flag.
MR HUMPHRIES (11.30): I greatly appreciated Mrs Grassby's comments; they were very edifying, although I have to correct her on a couple of small points. I could go to some lengths on this, but I am going to mention only two. My learned leader advises me, and I am sure he is right, that "wattle and daub" does not actually refer to wattle at all. It is an old English phrase. Wattle and daub houses are very common in England, or at least were at one time, and I do not think they grow much wattle in England. I am sure it is a reference to something else.
Mrs Grassby: You had better believe it. They do. I have seen many wattle trees in England.
MR HUMPHRIES: I am sure that the 400-year-old houses I have seen did not have any wattle in them when they were first made.
Mrs Grassby: Are you sure of that? Be very careful what you say. You had better check it out.
MR HUMPHRIES: I will be very careful when I hear anything from your lips, Mrs Grassby. I am sure that there is no such creature as a wattle bee, though. That I am absolutely sure about.
Mrs Grassby: There is South African wattle. There is wattle all round the world. It does not come only from Australia. I have checked it out, so be very careful.
MR HUMPHRIES: Indeed there is, Mrs Grassby, and I am sure you will have another chance to say that when you sum up in this debate. I think that Mrs Aquino, to whom you referred as the former President of the Philippines, is still the President of the Philippines.
Mrs Grassby: No, the new President was declared yesterday.
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