NEWS DESK
Free speech and talking about terrorism By Andrew Dixon* LAST week’s episode of Q&A on the ABC was a disastrous affair with far-reaching consequences. The media furore that followed is difficult to summarise – a microcosm of our national debate, born of the difficult policy decisions governments make on behalf of their citizens. It should serve as a reminder to everyone that the right to say and think what we want is easily surrendered to fear. The performance of Zaky Mallah on the program raised many issues, but the aftermath has been short on answers. Mallah made the shocking claim that Muslims were “justified” in heading overseas to join ISIS. Though acquitted of terrorism charges, the young man was convicted of threatening to kill ASIO agents several years ago. Last Monday he managed to destroy whatever remained of his character with a single sentence, broadcast live around the nation. More puzzling than the ill-informed comments of an angry young man has been the reaction from members of parliament, most of who identify as Liberal. Only months ago, they were proclaiming that we “do have the right to be bigots, you know”, but they’ve since launched a barrage of blistering attacks on our right to freedom of speech and association. The Prime Minister Tony Abbott questioned “whose side” the public broadcaster and our biggest news provider is on, as if it were the job of an inquisitive reporter to back the government of the day. Even Commu-
History lesson: Andrew Dixon, right, learnt much about long standing conflict among Muslim communities after interviewing Imam Syed Wadood Janud at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association’s mosque at Langwarrin. Picture: Cameron McCullough
nications Minister Malcolm Turnbull, seen by some conservatives as patron saint of the “lefty lynch-mob”, emphatically remarked that the ABC’s “error in judgement” was so “very, very grave” as to put the safety of the audience at risk. Now, I’m not a religious person, and
you’d be forgiven for thinking that a councillor from (quite literally) the whitest municipality in Victoria would have little to contribute to this debate. But after meeting with one of our local Islamic leaders to write an article for Peninsula Essence magazine, I learnt of the devastation wrought
LETTERS Olive support I have just read the article regarding the proposed legal action against Green Olive at Red Hill (“Planners urge action over eatery permit”, The News 16/6/15). It seems that the only thing Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors are good at is wasting money and hassling the people that keep them employed. I would have thought that the shire would be encouraging and congratulating the management/owners of Green Olive for what they have achieved in their award winning business, to say nothing of the number of locals that they employ, the use of local produce and the money ploughed back into the area. The council’s attitude is unbelievable. I was under the impression that the shire wished to encourage tourism, not stand in the way of a business doing its utmost to promote the area to the benefit of all the local residents. Maree Chrisomalidis, Rye
Olive an asset My wife and I regularly enjoy the food, wine and ambience of the Green Olive at Red Hill. We continue to be amazed at the quality of the facility that attracts so many tourists to the Mornington Peninsula. I am absolutely staggered by the article “Planners urge action over eatery permit” (The News 16/6/15), surely it must be realised that this Victorian and Australian award winning venue is an asset to the peninsula while employing many locals. The article states that the Green Olive is a restaurant. The delightful tapas menu is certainly not restaurant style food but a much lighter variety of small plates and products grown on site. I would strongly urge the Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors to consider the benefits of the Green Olive to the peninsula and prevent this appalling idea from going any further. Peter Hardy, Sorrento Editor: As reported by The News, Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors have been asked if they want to pursue Green Olive of Red Hill
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for non-compliance with its original permit. Officers say the business – which serves food and has seating for up to 80 diners - operates on a 10-hectare block of land. Restaurants are not allowed to operate in the Green Wedge zone where a restaurant cannot be considered on land of less than 40 ha.
Two-way violence It was illuminating to read the letter from Tony Nicholl (“Dads in Distress”, The News 23/6/15) where he pointed out the fact that women perpetrate a lot "family violence" on men as well as the other way around. It is refreshing to see a newspaper publish this side of the story, given that for years all I ever seem to have read on the subject is that almost every other husband is cruel and violent. Such brainwashing has now caused [the establishment of] a political Family Violence Commission where, presumably, the wisdom of Solomon will be applied to events in the bedroom and private marriages. It is to be fervently hoped that the outcomes will not be more ways to put men into jail, more intervention orders to kick husbands out of their own homes, prevent reconciliation, ruin careers, ruin lives, and suffer the little children. For the record, I am an old bloke, married for48 years, happy, and I've seen it all. Brian A Mitchelson, Mornington
Dumbing down After the successful destruction of much of Australia's manufacturing base, our present government's aim is set on the education system. But it all makes sense, we really don't need any educated people for the future economy of fruit picking and vegetable harvesting for the rich nations to our north. These nations have of course chosen to educate their people and build their manufacturing and are planning their future in the 21st century with a little more vision than our anti-science government. And our mushroom population keeps these people in power. Rupert Steiner, Balnarring
upon Muslim communities throughout this long and violent global conflict. The common thread in such stories is the religious identity of perpetrator and victim – overwhelmingly Muslim against Muslim. Too often in this country and elsewhere, the terrorist threat is defined as savage barbarism against the peaceful and benign West. Yes, there is a distinctive element of this on display in the social media published by ISIS. It’s an integral part of their public relations campaign, and it works, with the media and our politicians seize on such comments whenever they need attention, guaranteeing ISIS airtime in the mainstream media. Such behaviour betrays a fundamental ignorance of the greater conflict. Worse still, the repeated use of phrases like “death cult” and “by hook or by crook” serves only to further alienate disaffected youth who, for whatever reason, already bear a grudge against our federal government or Anglo-centric history. The language of our national leaders has a real impact on our communities, even more than Mallah’s claim that young Australians are “justified” in joining ISIS because of MP Steve Ciobo’s comments on air. Freedom of speech is easily exercised by anyone, but the need to be responsible with language is so much greater for those who have easy access to broadcast media, and would make laws on our behalf. Most of the media coverage since Q&A has focused on whether or not it was acceptable for Aunty to allow Mallah a public platform on a flagship
current affairs program. Lost in the scrum is the fundamental right to say what you think, something the federal government was once so keen on defending it was willing to repeal sections of the Racial Discrimination Act. The fact is, radical views will be broadcast one way or another in this age of digital and social media. Perhaps allowing this would-be terrorist to vent on national television has kick started a larger debate about the price we as a society pay for access to the truth, warts and all. Perhaps our pollies will acknowledge the public’s level of maturity is an order of magnitude higher than they’ve been willing to give credit for. Perhaps the prime minister will actually consider the impact of his words on those in minority communities that already feel vulnerable and disenfranchised, and perhaps he’ll open his eyes to the positive role that fighters who voluntarily return from the Middle East could play in educating those who are at risk of making such a life-changing mistake. More likely are continued attacks on the messenger instead of the message. Both sides of politics have learnt to use this tactic whenever they find themselves under scrutiny. So, to deploy it on the issue of national security, is a no-brainer for a conservative government. After all, it’s hard to argue with the boost in poll ratings Abbott receives every time he talks about terrorism. *Andrew Dixon represents Mt Eliza Ward on Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.
Shaw makes head lines, again Neil Walker neil@mpnews.com.au FORMER Frankston MP Geoff Shaw has re-emerged in a job after politics. The ex-politician, who became embroiled in numerous high-profile incidents during his at times controversial four-year term as Frankston’s state member of Parliament, has a new role encouraging cover ups. Mr Shaw is now general manager at Medihair Hair Transplant Clinics in Melbourne. When contacted by The News a relaxed sounding Mr Shaw said he is “off the public scene now” but has “a few things in the pipeline with some quite credible people”. He said he is using business contacts to promote the hair transplant specialist’s operations. When asked whether he would consider using Medihair’s product himself he said he may do in future. “It’s not wigs or anything like that,” Mr Shaw said. “It’s actually operational hair transplants [and] yeah, I actually would.” The 47-year-old said he has a beard and is growing his hair long “so I’m not too concerned”. “I’m a bit relaxed but I probably will do something on that front.” The former accountant and hardware business owner said working for a hair transplant company is not a radical change in career direction. “You’re still in business. I’ve owned a number of businesses and now I’m manager of this one.” The oft dubbed “maverick” was elected in 2010 as a Liberal candidate but became an independent in March 2013 before formally quitting the party in early 2014 amid moves to expel him from the Liberal Party. He was suspended from Parliament for 11 sitting days in June last year for misus-
Hair apparent: Geoff Shaw at his former electorate office in Frankston last year. Picture: Gary Sissons
ing his parliament car for commercial purposes after an investigation by the Parliamentary Privileges Committee. Mr Shaw said his forthcoming book will focus on his brief time in politics “and what a sorry state of affairs we’ve got with two gutless [main] parties”.