Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has been asked to explain why Public Servants from his Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet are banning people from carrying signs and banners into “community” consultations that the PM and his Cabinet are undertaking around Australia. Are these truly “public consultations”, or are they sham political events, stage-managed illegally by Public Service employees?
The Hon Kevin Rudd MP Monday 8 December 2008
Prime Minister
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Dear Prime Minister
During a visit to South Australia on 14 August 2008, one of the events you attended was at a Hallett Cove school relating to the Federal Government’s response to the Murray water emergency, as reported in The Advertiser (15 Aug 08): PM thaws an icy reception (see attached).
The media reported that people attending the event were directed by officials not to enter the venue with banners and signs. This action is of concern as it is extremely un-Australian and un-democratic to deny such a basic form of commentary and protest.
The media reporting suggested that the South Australian Police Minister had invoked powers under the South Australian Protective Security Act 2007 as the authority underpinning the actions taken by the officials to deny entry and to confiscate and banners etc. However, we have now been formally advised by the South Australian Police Minister, The Hon Mr Michael Wright, that:
- The event was organised by your Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, who managed registration and access to the school gymnasium;
- That the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet placed a condition of entry to the gymnasium that banners and signs were not to be introduced;
- That South Australian Police gave no directions regarding signs and banners to attendees; and
- That the provisions of the South Australian Protective Security Act 2007 were not used.
As you would appreciate, to deny such a passive form of protest and manipulate the visual images at an event would suggest that political sensitivity to popular opinion is reaching a paranoia state. Care needs to be taken to ensure that the open and free society we all believe in is not abused or denied to protect particular political viewpoints.
As Prime Minister, you have a leadership role in ensuring that Australia retains and fosters a robust democratic environment where all points of view can freely and openly be expressed without restriction, manipulation or censoring of any visual image.
Your advice is sought on:
- Who authorised the restrictions on banners, etc at this event, and why?
- The authority under which those restrictions were enforced; and
- Your position on unrestricted, open and peaceful demonstration within Australia, including those that may occur at government-organised events such as at such public/community meetings?
I must admit to been somewhat surprised that CLA would have to raise such a serious matter with an Australian PM, especially one who speaks passionately about the role of democracy in national society.
Yours sincerely
Dr Kristine Klugman OAM
President
Attachment: The Advertiser article: PM thaws an icy reception, 15 August 2008