Viewpoint – Speaking freely a precious right

As some may be aware, I am personally against co-governance, and confirmed my position prior to the 2022 local elections. I unequivocally stand for one person, one vote, and believe that co-governance is anti-democratic. 

I have been saddened by what has happened at recent events, one of which was Julian Batchelor’s ‘Stop Co-governance’ meeting in Ōrewa.

Firstly confirming, as a local board, our purpose was to ensure the health and safety of all that attended (hence the Police).

Although unable to attend the event, I watched live feeds, and heard protestors name calling and yelling “misinformation”, “racist”, “liar” etc., at the speaker, and intimidating the attendees. An attendee retaliated by name-calling a protestor (which I do not condone). However, the original footage was cropped, which changed the context.

In one live feed, a protestor stated that the local board stood with the protestors – this is untrue. Two local board members attended the meeting, one was there to observe, the other there supporting the protestors. As elected local board members, we represent all constituents in our community and we must always remember to remain unbiased.

The protester also stated Julian hadn’t paid hall hire, also untrue – I can confirm he in fact, paid in full.

Freedom of speech encompasses the right to speak on facts and/or opinions without being arrested or silenced, yet the protestors went to this meeting, many intent on causing major disruption, silencing the speaker, and/or, closing down the meeting. 

Don’t get me wrong, the protesters had the absolute right to protest – but how they chose to, I believe, was not okay on many levels.

Both sides of the co-governance debate should be given equal voice and robustly challenged.

Regarding the Posie Parker event – I heard a quote recently (not from Posie) which resonated with me: “I am pro-trans rights but I’m also pro-women’s rights. I believe that one shouldn’t come at the expense of the other. But I can’t say that easily, if I do the abuse rolls in and I’m called a bigot, a transphobic, and a Nazi.”

We may not all agree with the Julians and Posies of this world, but in a democracy, people have the right to speak, unimpeded, without being negatively and unfairly “labelled” or bullied, and without being assaulted. 

If we are not careful, and people continue to be “cancelled”, freedom of speech may very well become a thing of the past.

In closing, “I may not always agree with what you say, but I will always defend your right to say it.”

Footnote: These views are supported by fellow local board member, Sam Mills.