Public Servants Need Free Speech Protections
08/08/2019
Greens public sector spokesperson Adam Bandt has responded to the High Court’s decision in Comcare v Banerji, saying the law may need to change to ensure freedom of speech.
“The Greens are deeply concerned about the impacts of this decision,” said Mr Bandt.
“This threatens public servants’ ability to participate in modern life.
“Free speech must be protected and if we now have to change the law to ensure public servants can have a private life while still being apolitical at work, we should look at that.
“To ensure an apolitical public service that can deliver frank and fearless advice in the best interest of our democracy, we need to promote a diversity of voices in our public service.
“We can have both a non-partisan public service and freedom of speech.
“Australian public servants deserve normal rights as citizens, instead of draconian social media guidelines that limit freedom of speech and don’t allow for any diversity of opinion.
“Right now, as media offices are raided and whistleblowers are targeted, it’s never been more important to establish an Australian Bill of Rights to protect our rights and our democracy.”