Happy Australia Day

Non-Australians are unlikely to be familiar with Ray Martin, a staple of Australian television for over 30 years. Star of Australia's orginial "60 Minutes" team, daytime chat show host, election debate chair - and now, professional republican.

You see, for the last 24 hours in Australia, Ray Martin has been acting as the frontman for the latest push to change the Australian flag, with a side order of denigrating Prince William's recent visit.

Dismissing the only flag to ever fly over an entire continent as "colonial", Martin suggested he'd rather replace the Union Jack with Aboriginal symbolism and was bemused by the interest in the monarchy during Prince William's visit.

Never mind the fact that last week's Newspoll showed more Australians preferred the Queen to a republic, another showed a massive fall in support for a republic, and another again showed just 27% want a new flag.

Ray won't let consistency on this issue cloud his appetite for recognition though. Who do we see in today's Australia Day honours list for services to the community and the media? As a Member of the Order of Australia - an honour that has the Queen has Sovereign?

Step forward, Ray Martin, AM. Looking forward to you supporting the Crown you will wear on your insignia, Ray.

Happy Australia Day.