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Features Australia

When it comes to free speech, we’re all hypocrites

From anti-terror laws to Section 18C, both sides of politics have a bet each way

14 February 2015

9:00 AM

14 February 2015

9:00 AM

Like a few of his other ‘principled’ policies, Tony Abbott’s commitment to revising the legislative prohibition against insulting or offending someone on the basis of his or her race or ethnicity withered away in the face of concerted opposition. In the end, Abbott and his ministers did not have the stomach to fight a political battle for a principle that others have sacrificed their lives to defend.

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Anne T. Gallagher AO, PhD is an international lawyer and UN Adviser on Human Trafficking.

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