we have this thing called free speech in Australia despite Qantas' efforts to suppress it.
Drew Mitchell sums it up well:
“The most disappointing thing I think in the last few weeks with other things that have happened outside of our sport is everyone has an opinion and people will attack those that don’t have the same opinion,” Mitchell said.
“We just have to appreciate this is Izzy’s opinion and he’s entitled to it, whether you like it or not.
“He’s as much entitled to his opinion as you are with yours."
People misunderstand what "Free Speech" really is. They think its absolute, and that you can say what you like, when you like and where you like, and your speech is totally unrestricted. This is not the case, free speech is NOT absolute. Free speech has never meant saying whatever you like and being protected from the resulting consequences. Free speech means the
"the Government" cannot suppress what you say, but it doesn't mean you are free to say anything you want.
Can you to make death threats against others without there being consequences?
Can you incite others to take violent action without there being consequences?
Can you yell "FIRE" in a crowded theatre without there being consequences?
Can you make a false 111 emergency call without there being consequences?
Can you make a false complaint to Police without there being consequences?
The answer to all of these is, of course, no. All these things are examples of speech that is restricted. While you are entitled to a certain amount of free speech, your employer is also entitled to restrict you in what you say. For example, most companies have a clause in their employment contracts which forbid you to speak publicly against company policy, if you do, there will be consequences that could include being fired. When I was in the RNZAF, we were forbidden to speak to the press or any media about anything to do the armed forces. The consequences for disobeying this order would depend on what we said; it could be anything between a reprimand and a Court Martial and cashiering.
You might want to read this, you will find that, even in Australia, you are not as free to say what you please as you might think you are
https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/life/...hat-does-freedom-speech-really-mean-australia
There’s been a lot of talk about free speech lately; about what it means, whether there should be restrictions and who benefits most from free speech. But do Australians already have freedom of speech? And if so, what does that really mean, to our day-to-day lives, legally?
Despite all the debate in the past two years about free speech, it’s not a right that's protected under our constitution. In fact, the only social freedom that’s guaranteed is religion.
Australia doesn’t have a bill of rights, which is where free speech usually gets defined and protected in most western democracies. It’s neither incorporated in any federal legislation.
