We cherish the notion that Australia is a " free speech " country. We jealously guard what we see as our right to express our opinion in public forums and yet in some ways that right has limitations. We recoil when someone disparages the femininity movement and usually a wide body of women respond angrily to any form of criticism.
Sexual orientation is another dangerous area. We are fast reaching the stage when people can no longer be classified as merely " male " or " female " because some are stranded in between. This has devolved into a serious argument over which bathroom they are permitted to use. Today it is quite usual to find a person claiming part content of the two genders - and dressing accordingly.
The laws of this country are proclaimed by way of the votes cast by the representatives we send to parliament. It is usual that this is the common view of the masses but in the majority of cases there will be a body of people who are bitterly opposed. Despite our support of that free speech principal, we often vilify those who dare express their opposition vocally.
That has cast a shadow over the experience of one of our most gifted tennis players. Homosexuality has emerged from the shadows and is now perfectly legal in Australia and we have embraced the concept of same sex couples legally marrying. At the time this was being considered in parliament Margaret Court went public with her views which were conditioned by her religious beliefs. Unfortunately, this was angrily rejected by the majority favouring change and now retribution is being considered. It is proposed that Margaret Court's name be removed from the arena named in her honour.
Margaret Court was our greatest female tennis player and this coming year will be the fiftieth anniversary of her greatest achievement, That was her 1970 grand slam win of all four single titles in the same year. As well as removing her name from the arena there is doubt that the anniversary celebration of her wins will be honoured in the same way Rod Laver's achievement was last year when his grand slam was celebrated.
It seems a new, unwritten law has emerged when it comes to free speech. You are perfectly entitled to your own opinion on any subject - just so long as you keep that opinion to yourself and don't proclaim it publicly. In many countries of the world any form of disagreement with the laws of the country will get you to see the inside of a prison.
In this country a more insidious punishment regimen exists. The offender becomes opaque on the social scene and no longer receives invitations to events. Whatever claim to fame that exists in the public forum is quietly erased. Such achievements count for nothing and that person is thrust back into obscurity.
Can we really claim to be a free speech nation when we crucify anyone who disagreed publicly with the opinion of the masses ?
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