Last week I saw Tim Wilson, Human Rights Commissioner in Martin Place. I approached him and walked and talked from Castlereagh to Parliament House. After I gained his trust with my gentlemanly introduction and deceptive corporate mask (my suit) I let rip. First thing was your tweet a few years ago regarding right to free speech should warrant a water canon was a bit alarming. His response mate that was a joke. Are you sure? Yes, would I really believe something like that? He went on it was a joke and it has to be looked at in the context of when I said it - a couple of years ago. Next up I asked what do you think of 18C. It should be repealed in its entirety and other protections need to be put in place he said. I replied by saying dont you think the Act in its entirety should be repealed? Confused look - what do you mean? I said, well dont you think the Act particularly 18C, has potential for selective enforcement and so it becomes a political weapon or has the capacity to be a political weapon? He replies well yes I guess so but people need to be protected, especially in the workplace. Yea, but Tim, Im saying this as a guy with coloured skin, Ill take my chances, people just need to have thicker skin. Moved on to individual rights generally. I said there is an alarming pattern of anti-protest laws and anti-free association laws. He conceded yes there has been an abrogation of individual rights but they are by the States so I have no say. Yes, thats true...but your position comes with influence. I also raised the anti-terror laws and whether it will capture domestic dissidents particularly in light of the pattern of other laws. He assured me they would not -- but I am sure he got the impression that I did not believe him. Then we parted ways as he went into Parliament House but he gave me his card to contact him.
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 22:51:13 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015