The new Australian of the Year says Australia must become a republic with a new flag, in a push already is meeting stiff resistance.
Simon McKeon says a new flag, anthem and the republic should all be examined as part of a referendum on Australia in the 21st century.
Mr McKeon says it is “inevitable'' Australia will become a republic and break its links with the crown.
He wants Australians to answer a simple question “whether they want to become a republic yes or no?''.
He said the details could be worked out after that.
“We should be uniting behind other Australians that have suffered in the floods not raising these sorts of divisive issues,'' he said.
Mr McKeon is also called for a slowdown in population growth with a greater focus on ensuring all Australians have a better standard of living, instead of just a bigger and stronger economy.
Despite being a firm believer it would happen, Mr McKeon has no plans to spearhead a push for a republic.
“I'm supportive of the campaign to change our flag but I'm more supportive of getting a clear resolution to the very simple question: Do a clear majority of Australians support a republic or not?"
“Everything else will flow from that such as the model of a republic, the flag, the anthem, even the date that we celebrate Australia Day, for me these are secondary issues.''
But Premier Ted Baillieu and Opposition leader Daniel Andrews are opposed to any changes to the flag, as is the Federal Immigration Minister Chris Bowen.
“Australians love our flag. I love our flag. It should not change,'' Mr Baillieu said.
Mr Bowen agreed with Premier Ted Baillieu and Opposition leader Daniel Andrews, and said the current flag design is supported by the "vast majority" of Australians.
"There'll be plenty of ways to gauge public views and I'm sure they're being expressed across the country today, through the media and elsewhere, and I'm sure that debate will continue."
More than a dozen Australians of the Year dating back to the 1960s, including the Clean Up campaigner Ian Kiernan, swimmers Dawn Fraser and Shane Gould and scientist Tim Flannery, have signed the statement calling for change.
Professor McGorry, a mental health expert, said the present design causes confusion overseas and embarrassment at home.
The current flag, which incorporates the Union Jack, still "highlights and promotes the flag of another nation'', he said.
They want Federal Parliament to begin a process to design a "truly Australian national flag'' that can then be put to an official vote.
