"Blind to their hypocrisy, they unjustly insulted and ridiculed this thoroughly decent man as a racist and a bully, thereby exhibiting every odious quality of the behaviour they came to condemn."

So, they weren't exercising their right to free speech?

Yes, Grim, they were - but also demonstrating their lack of principle, because they misused that freedom to lie and slander. People, if they are unprincipled, are free to maliciously defame - they have "free speech" - but those defamed are free to seek damages. What we cannot indulge is people seeking to use the law simply to silence people whose opinions they find offensive, but which are neither defamatory nor inciting to violence.

... and another thing we cannot indulge is the compere of a publicly funded programme like Q&A egging on this slander. Read the transcript for last Monday's Q&A at the link... Will Tony Jones do the honourable thing tonight on Q&A and apologise for his part in facilitating the unjust defamation of Andrew Bolt? If not, his credibility as an apolitical (LOL) mediator is shot, and his position is untenable.

One is free to speak that which offends no one in the most odious tyranny. By using offense as a criterion to limit speech a government may silence criticism. The only issue I have with the article is the reference to Bolt as a decent man. I think some of Bolt's opinions are quite offensive, but in a free society he has the right to voice them. He should not be subject to legal penalties for doing so or for not being a decent man.

Truth is no defense against charges of defamation. Defamation statutes should also be repealed. Speech should only be limited in cases of incitement, harassment or, in the words of Justice Holmes, where it presents a "clear and present danger".

I haven't seen that particular Q&A but from the little snippets I saw I can not fathom how people can be so devoid of integrity to call Brandis wrong. That Lisa sheilah lost me when she blabbered a couple things about Abbott. Without actually hearing what she said in context I could tell that she was off the planet.

Thousands of people marched in Australia's cities over last weekend because they all felt powerless.
We can protest as much as we like about Australia's laws, but the smirk
on our Prime Ministers face and his side-kicks when confronted by the marchers concerns said it all.