February
Coalition at last fires a shot in culture war for free speech
After being so bad for so long on freedom of expression, the Liberals are beginning to take seriously the erosion of the most basic of all human freedoms.
This billionaire has been jailed for 20 years. We should all be outraged
Human rights issues typified by cases such as the media mogul’s are not distractions from more important business. They are the important business.
Herzog’s welcome visit shouldn’t limit the right to dissent
State-enforced limitations on speech rarely change minds and sanitising the public square drives extremist sentiments underground or galvanises protesters.
January
Hate group laws will be turned on Libs and Labor
In their rush to get a political fix to antisemitism, both sides of politics chose to ignore the very real risks of such legislation.
Bondi terror response is not the political class’s finest hour
There has been a bipartisan failure to meet the gravity of the situation and help the nation formulate a coherent response to the antisemitism crisis.
Blame Randa’s cancellation on poor governance at arts institutions
We need more astute and accountable bodies running publicly funded institutions. A good place to start is for boards to ensure mission, strategy and delivery live up to the demands of a plural democratic polity.
Coalition split on hate speech piles pressure on Ley
Two Queensland LNP MPs broke ranks with their Nationals colleagues and voted against the laws in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
SA premier brought sense to madness of Adelaide Writers’ Week
The calm, considered opinion of Peter Malinauskas stands in contrast to the rousing defiance of Louise Adler and company.
Nationals raise 11th hour demands over Labor hate speech laws
After a marathon party room meeting, the junior Coalition partner is demanding more protections despite signing off on the Coalition’s position on Sunday.
Abdel-Fattah lobs new legal threat at premier in writers’ week row
The Palestinian-Australian author says she had no choice but to serve a second defamation concerns notice against South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas.
Ley has no credibility after not lifting a finger on hate speech laws
The Coalition’s complaint that the government’s legislation was “rushed” is utterly childish, given its incessant demands for parliament to be recalled.
Will restricting speech buy Australia the safety it craves?
The government’s crackdown on hate speech is being criticised from all sides as an attack on freedoms that will make the country more fragile and less safe.
PM’s chance of passing bill narrows as faith leaders unite for delay
Some of the country’s top religious leaders have called on the Albanese government to reconsider the timing of its hate speech laws.
I’m a lawyer. Religious freedom shouldn’t hinge on hate speech law
If the law passes, the freedoms of speech, conscience and religion in Australia would thereafter pivot on a novel, imprecise and arbitrary “referencing” test.
Abdel-Fattah doxxed me. Outrage over her removal exposes hypocrisy
The Adelaide Writers’ Festival hypocrisy is glaring. When Jewish people come together to engage in support and activism, double standards seem to apply to us.
New plot twists in Adelaide Writers’ Week debacle
Festival organisers apologised to Randa Abdel-Fattah and invited her to next year’s event on the same day Thomas Friedman revealed he was dumped in 2024.
Greens want concessions to support government’s hate speech laws
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has indicated the Coalition will vote against the laws when parliament returns, labelling them “unsalvageable”.
I’m Human Rights Commissioner. Here’s why we shouldn’t rush hate speech laws
When dealing with laws that substantially affect our rights and freedoms, getting the wording right is not a technicality – it is the substance.
Australia’s universities are talking about antisemitism, not stopping it
Action in relation to the now normalised antisemitism at our universities is lacking a sense of urgency.
The war on hate must be fought online
Whether it’s a Labor or Coalition bill that become law, our politicians are fighting a 21st century problem with a 20th century solution.
