Mansell accuses Liberals of denying free speech

Aboriginal lawyer Michael Mansell has accused Tasmanian Liberals of “ignoring freedom of speech” with their hard line approach to penalising forest protestors.

Mr Mansell said, “Free speech is an essential ingredient for a democratic society, and if the State and most of the parliamentarians are biased in favour of industry, it is crucial that dissenters be tolerated, not gaoled.

The plan to close down contrary views through legislation is really an abuse of power. The claim that industry is so harmed by peaceful protests that absurd penalties are needed flies in the face of reality. Industry is never stopped by protests. Those protests have minimal direct impact on work or workers. The purpose of protests is to put forward a different point of view and freedom of speech is not just about tolerating views we support, but for views we despise.

The resort to criminalise protests is an admission by the Liberals that they cannot compete with the merit of arguments by anti-logging forces.

At the heart of a free society where tolerance is encouraged, is free speech. The move by the Liberals will portray Tasmania in a poor light for potential visitors. The Liberals stance may help shore up their voter base in the short term but will prove counter-productive in the long term as far as presenting Tasmania as a tolerant and inclusive place to live or visit.

It is true that whenever an election looms and policy is inadequate, politicians turn to a hard line on criminalising activity. It shows a lack of inventiveness, and lack of ideas.

It is incumbent on the other political parties not just to speak out against the Liberal tactic, but to articulate sound reasons why freedom to be different or take a different point of view is welcome in Tasmania.”
Michael Mansell Lawyer for Aboriginal Community Council