Deputy Prime Minister backs Ausflag campaign
to proclaim Waltzing Matilda the National Song

MEDIA RELEASE. Sunday 22 September 1996

The Executive Director of Ausflag, Mr Harold Scruby, today released a letter from the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Tim Fischer MP, which supports the Ausflag campaign to proclaim Waltzing Matilda as our National Song.

Mr Scruby said: "In May 1977, the Fraser Government held a plebiscite which asked Australians to state their preference for the National Anthem. The following results were announced: Advance Australia Fair 43%, Waltzing Matilda 28%, God Save the Queen 19% and Song of Australia 10%. After distribution of preferences, the final result was: Advance Australia Fair 65%, Waltzing Matilda 35%.

Recent polls reveal that up to 75% of Australians now prefer Advance Australia Fair as our National Anthem.

Prior to 1984, Australia had a National Anthem (God Save the Queen) and a National Song (Advance Australia Fair). After Advance Australia Fair was proclaimed the National Anthem in 1984, we were left without a National Song, yet the precedent and tradition remain.

Many nations have National Anthems and National Songs: the former are mostly used on formal and solemn occasions and the latter on more informal and joyous occasions.

Waltzing Matilda is a most emotional and moving tune. It is our unofficial National Song. It is now time it received the formal recognition it deserves. Its proclamation as our National Song is likely to prove very popular with the people of Australia and encourage its wider use. It should also assist in pleasing those who continue to call for it to be our National Anthem.

Ausflag looks forward to Mr Fischer introducing a Bill in Parliament in the near future which will see the formal proclamation of Waltzing Matildaas our National Song."

"Fischer waltzes for Matilda", The Daily Telegraph, p.2, 23 September 1996.
"Fischer backs Matilda", The Australian, 23 September 1996, p.2.
Waltzing Matilda for National Song, Letter by Harold Scruby to The Australian, 18 February 1995.

The Hon Tim Fischer MP
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister for Trade
Leader of The National Party

Mr Harold C W Scruby
Executive Director
Ausflag
PO Box 500
NEUTRAL BAY NSW 2069

Dear Mr Scruby

I am replying to your letter of 16 August.

I have no objection to you utilising my letter of 22 March 1995 regarding Waltzing Matilda as a National song.

All I can do is repeat my words of March 1995 that I support the continuance of the existing Australian Flag and that I "confirm my support for designating the Waltzing Matilda song as our National song parallel with our National Anthem, Advance Australia Fair".

Please accept my best wishes.

Yours sincerely

(signed)

TIM FISCHER

6 September 1996

National Anthem Plebiscite 1977