Freedom of Expression

The documentary In The Shadow of the Palms about the lives of Iraqi civilians during the war is only tangently related to the very narrow purview of this website. I'm putting a link up anyway - screening details on the website.

Editorial by George Williams in The Age earlier this week, summarising the ALRC discussion paper and applauding its suggestions. He also argues that there are, however, some cases where speech can be harmful to the community and should be criminalised. Comments welcome.

The ALRC has been very quick in releasing a Discussion Paper based on submissions to its inquiry into the sedition provisions. According to their Press Release, the discussion paper recommends that "the concept of ‘sedition’ should be removed from the federal statute book, and offences urging force or violence against the government or community groups should be redrafted".

This is a brilliant result! However (of course there is a "however") we're only half way there. There is still time and opportunity for more community input. If you're reading this blog, you're a concerned citizen. Please download the Discussion Paper and respond to the ALRC by July 3.

(Click on the underlined bits to read the Press Release and Discussion Paper. Instructions on how to make a submission are at the bottom of the index page (scroll past the index for the Discussion Paper). Submissions can be short, informal and via email)