One of the best tests for objectivity when criticising or commenting on ideas or more seriously, laws, is how we would like it if the shoe was on the other foot.

So when conservatives, concerned to preserve social liberties and individual freedoms such as free speech, object strenuously to exercises in authoritarianism such as section 18c of the Racial Discrimination Act or the para-judicial anti-discrimination tribunals, it’s got absolutely nothing to do with a desire to abuse, insult or offend those who disagree with them.