In July of this year, $450k plus censor, Julie Inman Grant narrowly avoided a Senate Inquiry into the “growing scope” of her powers to police the internet because Labor and the Greens voted against the PUBLIC SERVANT being answerable to Parliament.

Now, an “extraordinary” letter from the eSafety Commissioner trying to influence the Opposition’s stance on her office has come to light.

https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/esafety-commissioner-julie-inmangrant-quietly-pressures-opposition-to-drop-calls-for-inquiry-into-her-extensive-powers/news-story/628b5b2ee74db380f6cb143c790c9d72

Fortunately, the opposition wasn’t influenced and still wants an enquiry.

While there are different views on censorship and the Commissioner’s role and powers, public servants should be answerable to Parliament and the people; not just to the government of the day, as Labor and the Greens think.

To their credit, the Liberals want Ms. Inman Grant pulled into line. She was their creature, after all; the current lot cannot be blamed for the late and unlamented Malcolm Turnbull who, when addressed by the lady as Mr. Prime Minister, oozed, “Ooh, Malcolm, please”.

The make-up of the panel that ‘chose’ the ESC is a secret, but Malcy would have to have approved the winner.

At the time, she was described, in aggressive terms, as “the tip of the spear” in “world first” (how little old Australia loves to claim a ‘first’) on stopping under 16s having media accounts. Now she wants to police everyone, including foreign companies.

Ralph Babet’s Bill having gone south in the Senate, the shadow minister has called for an enquiry. Good luck with that while Albanese is around! But at least the Opposition might have started doing what it is supposed to be doing; which in this case might be the start of an apology for siccing this woman onto us in the first place.

Australia’s "uniquely heavy handed” approach to social media is a global embarrassment. There are many derisive comments coming from countries who thought better of us. In fact, there have barely veiled threats from America that Australian censorship and threats to free speech could affect the relationship.

We should not be fooled that child-protection is the motive for having a Public Censor. We are all in the firing line, and Big Sister Inman Grant is just doing what the government wants her to do; which is why they don’t want her investigated. She might squeal to protect herself, instead of them.

Over the weekend it was revealed that the woman would not be renewing her contract next year because of the criticism and online trolling. Good time to drop the Commission as well as the Commissioner. Let parents look after their children.