Whatever Happened to Freedom of Speech in Australia?

By now, there won't be too many Australians who aren't aware of the outrageous events in Canberra, on our national day.  The image is undoubtedly still fresh in the minds of most people, of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition being bundled away from a very Australian event, using means reminiscent of American Secret Service tactics, in response to a very un-Australian event.

I don't actually care who said what to whom.  For me the fundamental point is that the statement attributed to Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, was nothing more than the exercise of the freedom of speech which is, incidentally, GUARANTEED by Australia's Constitution.  As such, it is the right of anyone to express their views on any subject - let me repeat that.... any subject.

Provided that those views are not based on aspects that are specifically prohibited by law, there are no limitations.  In this particular case, no law was being broken and he had a guaranteed right to express his views regarding the so-called "Tent Embassy".  There are always going to be people who may not agree with any particular statement, but there is a right way to express disagreement that does not involve the sort of behaviour we all saw on Australia Day.

Using the very same right to freedom of speech, those with a dissenting view are entitled to express it.  Indeed, if a dissenter feels that the law has been broken, there are legal remedies available that can be used to seek redress.  Those actions will also make the news, but do so in a manner that complies with the law of the land.

For those who don't like the way the law is structured, or the way freedoms are expressed in the Constitution, there is a way in which to attempt changes - legally!

Those who don't like any of the established legal means can leave the country.  Those who can't be bothered with due process and seek to take the law into their own hands should feel the full force of attendant penalties under the law.  Until this happens, I fear we will see more and more of the downright ugly and outrageous behaviour that we saw on Australia Day.  We will then go the same way as the United States of America, with "secret service" type protection details for all elected leaders.

But then, what about the rest of us - those who elect the leaders?  What protection can we possibly have against violent reactions to our own expressions of free speech?

Sadly, Australia no longer seems to be "the lucky country", where everyone is too buy having a bloody good time to be upset by anything.  As a result, the only thing we can now depend on is that constitutional guarantee of the freedom of speech.  Everyone has that right, whether born here, naturalised or otherwise accepted into the Australian society and, whether or not we all agree with each other, the law demands that we respect each other's views and, indeed, fight for the right to express those views.

There might even be people who disagree with my views, in this blog.  Fine, I can accept that, regardless of whether or not I can find ground for agreement with those dissenters. To further make my point, I have the right to say things like :-

Happy Australia Day

Happy Easter

Merry Christmas, and even

Ho, ho ho.