An open letter to Australia's progressive politicians regarding the Voice referendum [Content Warning: hate, hate crimes, violence, threats of violence, discrimination - reader discretion is advised]

Note: I am going to start writing my emails to politicians here, as open letters, rather than sending them to a few direct recipients. 

Dear Members of Parliament, 

To say I am annoyed at the mistakes made by the “Yes” campaign regarding colours of signs - mistakes I objected to when the neoliberals made them a few years ago - would be an understatement. 

I am aware that purple is one of the colour choices available for Yes signs - we chose exactly that colour yard sign out of personal preference, but that does not excuse this mistake by an otherwise well informed and very able & professional campaign. 

At least the “Yes” campaign has implemented the actions instructed by the AEC.

However, I wish to draw your attention to the appalling behaviour - as reported here - currently being seen in New Zealand. 

That violence: 

• is unacceptable in and of itself, as with all such violence; 
• constitutes acts of hate against minorities; and 
• is a direct threat against democracy on three counts: 
• attempted intimidation to silence progressive viewpoints; 
• attempted intimidation to prevent members of minorities - which, in terms of socio-politico-economic power, also includes women - partaking in a democracy; and 
• a direct attack on the flow of accurate and true information which is essential to sound, healthy and good decision making in all democracies.
  

Such behaviour has become widespread as a result of, in my opinion, the encouragement and enablement of the USA’s notorious (and currently facing criminal trial and thus possible an extremely belated accountability) 45^th president and others of that ilk, including here in Australia, which has seen reactionary, hate-filled and hate-fuelled actions become far too widespread for comfort, safety, or a cohesive society. 

We have seen that before in Australia - notably, in recent times, with the 2017  Equal  Marriage  postal survey, which saw all members of the  LGBTQIASB+ communities (including those who would not benefit from Equal Marriage) attacked - and some communities abandoned to the wolves. 

As someone who is a member of a few sections of that group of communities, and has experienced the vitriol and hate of that vote, I am - sadly - not at all surprised that the Yes campaign is - despite the good experiences of many - now having to make counselling available to those undertaking campaigning. However, I am pleased that such counselling is being made available.

I am also, as someone who has lived under increasing hate and risk of violence for a decade or more owing to the transphobic hate of a series of national Australian governments (fortunately offset by the progressive governments in Victoria) as well as the global encouragement and enablement of far right extremism, sadly not surprised by incidents such as   “n___ Graffiti Attack On Sydney Home Targets Jewish And LGBT Communities” (“aimed to “instil fear” ”),   and   the vile death threat made by neo-n___’s against a progressive and inclusive First Peoples Senator - who is actually against the Voice as she considers recognising Blak  Sovereignty more urgent, important, and effective.

These acts are, in addition to being reasonably predictable and direct attacks by hate-motivated bigots against targets who are considered “different”, direct attacks on our democracy, and must be addressed as such.

In response to concerns (see here, here, here [on the “myopic” religious focus], here, here, here [on the radicalisation of children], and here), the state of Victoria held an enquiry into far right extremism, with a final  report in 2022 (see also here and here) finding: 

• neo-n______ and other far-right extremist ideologies are a growing threat in Victoria, and 
• this is putting marginalised groups at risk of violence.
  

The report made the following recommendations (the government’s responses also included below): 

1. That the Victorian Government and Members of Parliament seek ways to build public trust in the Parliament, including developing measures to improve transparency. This should include investigating the potential benefits of introducing an integrity charter.
   Response: Support in Principle (will focus on IBAC recommended and other reforms);
2. That the Government consider funding research investigating the links between extremism and family violence, anti-women or anti-feminist sentiment, and masculinity to identify further opportunities for counter-extremism measures.
   Response: Support;
3. That the Victorian Government continue to implement the recommendations from the Legislative Assembly Legal and Social Issues Committee’s report on the Inquiry into anti-vilification protections, in particular recommendations 33 and 34.
   Response: Support in Principle (accepts all but one recommendation of an anti-vilification enquiry - noting that currently a further enquiry into provision of anti-vilification protection is underway);
4. That in future public health emergencies, the Victorian Government build on its outreach and communication efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that there is an emphasis on public information that is in plain language, timely, accessible and easy to interpret.
   Response: support;
5. That the Victorian Government ensure that all of Victoria’s countering violent extremism programs, including but not limited to the Community Integration Support Program (CISP), continue to be reviewed externally on a regular basis to ensure they are effective and adapting to the evolving extremism landscape.
   Response: Support in Principle (examining recommendations on this topic made by other government departments);
6. That the Victorian Government develop a strategy to support community-driven social cohesion initiatives aimed at building connections and trust amongst community members and between community members and civic institutions.
   Response: Support in Principle (will consider programmes implemented by other government departments);
7. That the Victorian Government support the ongoing provision of existing anti-racism education programs and actively seek to improve and increase the provision of such programs in the community.
   Response: Support;
8. That the Victorian Government should review the digital and critical literacy skills taught via the primary and secondary school curriculum to identify opportunities for improvement and expansion.
   Response: Support;
9. That the Victorian Government ensure youth workers are adequately and appropriately resourced to provide effective service delivery of youth supports and programs aimed at strengthening trust and social connectedness and mitigating the risks of radicalisation. Further, that youth workers are proactively engaged and consulted in the development and implementation of the government’s youth policies and strategies.
   Response: Support in Principle (will consider in light of existing programmes);
10. That the Victorian Government review whether the Firearms Act 1996 should be amended to expand the fit and proper person test to include people who are members of violent extremist groups.
    Response: Support;
11. That the Victorian Government through National Cabinet advocate for the introduction of a national, cross-jurisdictional database of registered firearms and firearms licence holders.
    Response: Support in Principle (will support proposals, but is focused on what is already underway);
12. That the Victorian Government advocate to the Commonwealth Government for the proscription of extremist organisations active in Victoria which clearly meet the legal tests for engaging in preparing, planning, assisting or fostering the doing of a terrorist act, or advocating the doing of a terrorist act.
    Response: Support in Principle (consider this already exists).
    

It is important, in my opinion, to acknowledge the Victorian government’s work on this matter, and to: 

• take equivalent action at a national level, and in other states; 
• ensure all recommendations are acted on promptly, and effectively; 
• undertake a further review to see if any refinements of the recommendations are warranted in light of events since that report was made - e.g., the provision of effective anti-vilification for LGBTQIASB+ people, which is currently underway in Victoria; 
• and also: 
• continue to provide support as require to those Yes campaigners - and First Nations people - who ask for such; 
• take legal action against all those making death threats or, where possible, undertaking other illegal conduct (some acts of trespass and vandalism may be a waste of resources - but anything that a reasonable person, someone in touch with modern sentiments about diversity and inclusion, would consider an act of hate have at least some genuine response made).
  

Such actions are also consistent with principles and international commitments around democracy, including: 

• the UN Charter; 
• Article 25 of the ICCPR (and also noting democracy  monitoring  projects); and 
• sections 1 (which requires no interference - noting that the activities I am expressing my concern about are such interference) and 3 (protection of others’ rights) of Article 19 of the ICCPR.
  

I am also aware that some people are advocating for laws to protect truth in political advertising (and for a Royal Commission into conservative media). I consider the best opportunity to address truth in political advertising, an opportunity which would likely have prevented a lot of misinformation/disinformation that has done so much harm - including encouraging vile actions and violence - in the referendum campaign, was lost back in January, when, as reported here: 

“The federal parliament passed up an opportunity to ban misinformation and disinformation during the referendum campaign. In January, the parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters rejected calls to do this.”

In this case, given the massive damage done by that decision, I cannot, in good conscience, make a puerile statement along the lines of “better late than never” ... however, such action IS vitally necessary, and MUST be made by SOMEONE at SOME stage - and that someone best be, I would suggest, a someone who has an interest in a legacy of decency ...

 

Yours faithfully 

 

Assumptions / basis 

In writing this, I have assumed / started from the following: 

• this blog states quite clearly that it is about political and human rights matters, including lived experience of problems, and thus I will assume readers are reasonable people who have noted the content warning in the post header;

Possible flaws 

Where I can, I will try to highlight possible flaws / issues you should consider:

• there may be flawed logical arguments in the above: to find out more about such flaws and thinking generally, I recommend Brendan  Myers’ free online course “Clear and Present Thinking”; 
  
• I could be wrong - so keep your thinking caps on, and make up your own minds for yourself.
  

 

If they are of any use of interest, the activism information links from my former news posts are available in this post. 

 

If you appreciated this post, please consider promoting it - there are some links below.

Vote Yes for the Voice in Australia.  

Finally, remember: we need to be more human being rather than human doing.