Albrechtsen to Turnbull: please lead
Malcolm Turnbull had two options with the debate on restoring free speech. He could be dragged to it kicking and screaming, or he could have led it, thus honoring a promise, defending a principle and showing strength.
He chose wrong again, and Janet Albrechtsen is not impressed:
Prime Minister, when will your excitement at leading this country translate into something tangible, like bolstering the liberal foundations that made us a free and robust, questioning and cheeky nation? A few smart-arse university students post quips on Facebook about the absurdity of segregation, lawyers jump on it, the boss of the Australian Human Rights Commission proceeds with the complaint under section 18C, demanding mediation, conciliation and ultimately three young men were dragged through a three-year legal wrangle.
I’m going to take a punt. You surely agree this is crazy. And dangerous. You said last week that “many people feel that the provisions of 18C impose unreasonable restraints on free speech or impose restraints on free speech over and above what is needed to prevent hate speech”.
Prime Minister, with respect, that’s a cop-out. What do you, Malcolm Bligh Turnbull, a modern liberal, feel about these provisions and their impact on free speech? When you speak, we want to know what you think. When your ministers (all except Josh Frydenberg) are asked about 18C, they waffle nonsense and why would they do otherwise when you do the same? You told Andrew Bolt in May 2015 you supported reform of section 18C. And now you’re hiding behind the broken promise of your predecessor. You understand that’s not leadership, right? ...
You surely see the Liberal brand is being damaged. If we, the people who believe in fundamental liberties, can’t look to the Liberal Party for leadership on values that make Australia free, why would we look to your party at all?
John Howard, however, gets a thank you note:
Thank you, Mr Howard for showing leadership years after your official leadership ended. You’re right: section 18C is a demented law. What three university students were forced to endure for three years was grotesque. It’s surreal Bill Leak has been asked to supply information to the HRC explaining why his cartoon isn’t offensive or insulting or racist...
As happens, this thank you comes with an entreaty. Please talk to the Prime Minister.
(Thanks to reader Peter of Bellevue Hill.)