When I was a left wing student, protesting against NZ’s Security Intelligence Service, the Vietnam War and other trending causes, it would have been inconceivable to any of us fashionable activists, that some day the left would apostasize, to be the blatant enemies of freedom of speech.
I honour those who have stayed the course. Among them, Chris Trotter, Don Franks, Matt McCarten, intellectually honest remnant defenders of a noble left wing tradition. They rallied to stand for principle when what is now the Free Speech Union was launched in reaction to Phil Goff’s claim to authority to ban what he called ‘divisive speech’ from ratepayer facilities in Auckland.
I invite you to remember that against the snide suspicions infusing this Newsroom profile.

David Williams piece is, nevertheless, tolerable reporting when judged against bizarre claims he cites from Mohan Dutta and others blessed with authority by the bigots of academia. I believe he has tried to acknowledge the openness of Jillaine Heather (CEO of the Free Speech Union) and me, in our discussions with him. 

He has compressed some comments to the point of losing the point, but I will blame length restrictions, not malice. 

I have to put one fragment in context –  “Franks says of Act: “We expect them to be on the side of free speech but they certainly haven’t been very vigorous on it.” It was in connection with ACT’s failure to take its legislative opportunities to prevent organisations from abusing their powers as professional standard regulators. They have been punishing professionals who refuse to spout spurious orthodoxies, such as belief in the fake Treaty principles, and gender and other culture war dogma. 

Otherwise ACT have been consistent and principled on most free speech controversies. David Seymour bravely rescued the feminists who were banned from University and Council facilities when they wanted to explain their opposition to the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationship Registration Bill (that brought to New Zealand gender self recognition). He invited them to hold their meeting in Parliament’s Great Hall. Even though he intended to vote for the Bill. 

As recently as yesterday, ACT hosted the Free Speech Union in the Great Hall for a very well attended address by Helen Joyce, as the Trans activists protested outside.  They have earned respect for repeatedly standing up for freedom of speech.