THUGS who burn flags at protests should be arrested and prosecuted under federal law, community leaders say.
The Returned and Services League chief, David McLachlan, and Melbourne Lord   Mayor Robert Doyle were among those yesterday who backed calls for tougher federal legislation. 
Their calls follow ugly clashes between Left-wing protesters and police on Sunday, when an anti-racism rally descended into violence. A group of masked men and women poured methylated spirits on Australian flags and set them alight.
"What we saw in Melbourne is inciteful," Maj-Gen McLachlan said. "Nobody should have the right to destroy our flag. It is a symbol of our nation, and therefore sacrosanct. It has always been our position that the flag should be protected, but we have never had the backing.
"This must be picked up by our federal leaders and discussed in Parliament." Cr Doyle urged the Federal Government to legislate flag burning as an offence. "Federally, there should be a cool and calm approach to this, one that is bipartisan," Cr Doyle said. "I don't see any value in desecration of the Australian flag in protest.
"I just don't get that." Opposition Leader Bill Shorten also hit out at those responsible for burning the flag, but stopped short of any move to outlaw it.
"I deplore burning the flag," he said.
"Anyone who burns the flag is an idiot. I don't think we need a law to ban burning the flag, frankly.
"Everyone knows it is a stupid, idiotic thing to do and 99.999 per cent of Australians think it is an idiot act." Only three protesters were arrested over Sunday's violence, but investigators were still poring over available security footage in an attempt to identify ringleaders.
Cr Doyle said police should have more powers to move on people at rallies. RITA PANAHI, PAGE 20