Like the Chopper Read character portrayed by comedian, Heath Franklin, Liberal Democrats Senator David Leyonhjelm has today announced he will introduce a Bill to encourage Australians to harden up.
In addition to his Bill to repeal section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, Senator Leyonhjelm is challenging Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to put down his macchiato, cancel his manicure, and remove the words “insult” and “offend” from at least eight Commonwealth Acts that seek to limit free speech.
They include sections of the criminal act that makes a crime of sending letters that may “offend” someone, insulting a bankruptcy court registrar or offend and insult a magistrate. The bill would target similar provisions in the Defence Act, the Bankruptcy Act, environmental laws, the Fair Work Act and the Veterans’ Entitlements Act.
Senator Leyonhjelm says it is particularly important to repeal laws that make it illegal to insult office holders on government tribunals.
“This is particularly draconian because, as the famous saying goes, when government fears the people there is liberty – when the people fear the government, there is tyranny.
“Our right to free speech is not a frivolous matter, but it is time for sooks and whingers to take a leaf from Chopper. It’s not the government’s job to protect us from hurt feelings,” Senator Leyonhjelm said. “Our freedom of speech has been eroded over time. I am challenging the government to be the first in years to do anything to improve our right to speak freely in this country.”
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Contact Gavin Atkins at Senator Leyonhjelm’s office on 0448 164 844.
