Just as the States are passing legislation to stop coercive control, Labor is using it on Senator Payman, ‘for the good of the Labor Party’.
The truth is that Labor solidarity means members and senators must toe the line, never crossing the floor or saying anything that contradicts the executive. Differences are dealt with behind closed doors. Retribution is brutal. Losing a senator to the cross bench is inconsequential to a government that doesn’t anyway have a majority in the Senate but control is what matters to Labor.
Of all places, the Parliament of Australia should be where members can speak freely, indeed that privilege is protected from prosecution.
No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice.
Section 116 of the Australian Constitution.
The right to freedom of opinion and expression – article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights – was ratified by Australia 44 years ago but is yet to be adopted into domestic law. Time now to do this!
It’s worth reminding the Prime Minister that all members of parliament are elected by the people of their electorate and should represent their views to the extent possible which is just what Senator Payman did.
Australian Democrats Senators always had that option to vote differently from their colleagues, representing their states and the evidence as they saw it.
Photo courtesy of The Guardian