Is “free speech” an Australian value?

Is “free speech” an Australian value? We examine the latest developments concerning two state laws attempting to restrict political expression, and how the people are pushing back.First, the verdict is in on the protest-restricting laws introduced by the Minns government ahead of the divisive visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog: the changes are unconstitutional. Grata Fund founder Isabelle Reinecke explains what this means for the protesters who were arrested under laws that have now been overturned. Next, Queensland’s new hate speech laws criminalising the phrase “from the river to the sea” have been challenged by protesters impersonating… John Farnham. Comedian and Crikey columnist Sami Shah joins the podcast to discuss why banning speech never works. Catch up on our previous episode about the NSW protest laws here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TijjR1SJeFsRead more:Chris Minns is a constitutional vandal. He must apologise for NSW protest laws or resignA view from the ground: As police argued with MPs, Sydney’s protest against Isaac Herzog descended into chaosTry to understand it: John Farnham’s ‘river to the sea’ and Queensland’s war on words by Sami ShahRed flags and ‘the six-word phrase’: Queensland protest arrests are part of an Australian history of crushing dissentOne critical word is missing in Australia’s push to criminalise pro-Palestine phrasesHow Australia became a police stateSign up to Crikey’s free newsletter: https://bit.ly/crikey-newsletterCrikey’s independent journalism is supported by readers — 98% of our revenue comes from our subscribers. We’re not accountable to billionaires; we’re accountable to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.