Free Speech !

Australians have always taken pride in our right to speak freely, but in recent times there have been moves to curtail the subject matter.

Tasmanian politician Alan Wilkie is calling for an enquiry after yesterdays's grand final because commentators  Ray Warren and Phil Gould dared to speak against his demand that those who wish to play poker machines be forced to register the amount they are prepared to lose - in advance !

Surely Warren and Gould are entitled to have an opinion - and the clubs that support the Rugby League teams draw much of their money from their gaming facilities.  If Wilkie has the right to suggest a law change, then every citizen should have the right to speak for or against it.

Then there is the decision handed down by a court against Andrew Bolt, presenter of the Bolt Report.   Bolt questioned the  "Aboriginality" or some fair skinned people.   The court decided that this could " offend " some people of Aboriginal descent - and that decision may be open to appeal.

There was a time -  and not many years ago - when many people with Aboriginal blood hotly denied their Aboriginality.  It was only after legislative changes that preserved employment quotas and dispensed benefits to enhance the lives and prospects of our original dwellers that many began to proudly announce their roots.  It would seem to be almost impossible to make any sort of comment without someone - somewhere finding that comment not to their liking.

Then there is the thinly disguised " enquiry " into the newspaper industry - and the suggestion that we should have some sort of tribunal to dictate " publishing standards ".     That sounds like an Antipodean version of the " Stasi " - where a faceless group has their thumb on a " license to publish " - and uses it to dictate from what view the news will be presented.

It seems that politicians and pressure groups are aiming for a double set of standards.   Under the cover of " Parliamentary privilege " they can insult and " offend "  anyone they like - but if that person responds they will be hauled before a tribunal and punished.

We are to be denied having opinions - or at least - denied the right to freely express those opinions in case we " offend " some other person.

Of course those offended will deny that this is an attack on freedom of speech.   It will be described as taking up a better set of standards.

You may say or write whatever you like - just so long as no other Australian takes offence at your point of view !