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Wednesday May 23, 2012

What we're talking about

Calls for nasty debate to settle

Posted by: Peter Maher | 14 July, 2011 - 4:19 PM
Greens member Vicky Kasidis was confronted

I found the footage on last night's television of Tony Abbott's forum and Julia Gillard's walk through a shopping centre most disconcerting.

The behavior of some of the punters towards the Prime Minister while being vocal and forthright, I did not think was intimidating or challenging.

This view of mine was not shared with some of the women I work with here at 3AW who felt the behavior of the woman who was yelling at Julia Gillard was in fact most intimidating.

What really upset me was the behavior of one male individual at Tony Abbott's forum in Frankston which was organised by Local Liberal Member Bruce Billson.

Vicky Kasidis who is a Greens voter was part of Tony Abbott's audience and asked a question which was followed by jeers from those at the forum. Tony Abbott to his great credit said hang on this is a democracy and it is important that all voices are heard in a democracy.

What happened next is what really upset me. Declan Stephenson former polling day aide for Bruce Billson who was at the forum, followed Vicky out of the meeting telling her to “crawl back under her rock”. On the way out another woman grabbed her by the arm and pushed her towards the door.

Declan Stephenson continued to harass Vicky in the street by invading her personal space and scowling at her in a most intimidating manner. This is the act of a bully and one that is not prepared to accept or listen to another person's opinion.

Tony Abbott is so right here with his statement on democracy and the right everyone has to their freedom of speech. That is the most basic right of any democracy - freedom of speech - and we have been able to support that right through all sorts of debates, referendums and changes of government.

So strong are we as a democracy that when we could not decide who would govern us following the last election there was no anarchy or rioting in the streets just a quiet confidence that we will work it out and we did do just that.

We have one of the great democracies and we must make sure it never falters and we do that by guaranteeing the safety of all so they can enjoy their freedom of speech.

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Blog comments Your Say

  • Whilst i disagree with this ladies politics...... i will stand & fight for her right to free & democratic speech!! We are THE lucky nation....just read news reports from around the world about freedom of speech! That person was in fact depriving her of her own free will...in common law, an arrest!! FREE speech for this lady......'chin music' for this moronic political thug who escorted her out!

    Wantirna Cowboy Friday 15 July, 2011 - 12:29 PM

  • To the management of 3AW please send Peter Maher to the ABC

    Mark Friday 15 July, 2011 - 8:37 AM

  • WHAT I SAW ON T.V... THAT THE REPORTERS GAVE HER .HER 2 MINUTES OF FAME.

    KEN Friday 15 July, 2011 - 8:15 AM

  • Sounds like a greeny stunt

    Ken of Euroa Friday 15 July, 2011 - 12:48 AM

  • Peter was saying how he will fight for freedom of speech and then he cut a caller off telling him that he is finished.
    Now that's freedom of speech alright.
    This woman has clearly been planted there to cause problems.
    Sure, if this man was standing right in her face I would say he is intimidating but standing close but I would not say close enough to invade her personal space is not a crime. How much personal space does she need? If the cops thought that there was no problem then clearly there was no problem. The fact that the media sprung to action is no indication of a problem but an indication of media hype and bias.

    Sneaky lot those Greens.

    Peggy Thursday 14 July, 2011 - 7:56 PM

  • She should have kept her tree hugging mouth shut,attention seeker~!!!

    Steve Thursday 14 July, 2011 - 7:33 PM

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