Mel Yuan for Brunswick

Donald Trump, Moira Deeming and the Merri-bek Greens all share an alarming characteristic – they have attempted to seek remedy for others’ political opinions in dissent. Attempts to silence, punish or seek revenge for political comment must be called out and resisted at every opportunity. What Cr Yildiz did on social media is not the point. All elected representatives put themselves forward and must be prepared to accept criticism of their policies, actions and political statements, whether that is in formal debate, informal discussion, social media or other forms of the “town square”. Elected representatives have a reasonable expectation that their private lives and personal characteristics are not subject to abuse. However, parody, satire, even ridicule, and other forms of political statement should be protected. Those who hold elected positions should be extraordinarily circumspect in seeking legal, organisational or other forms of “punishment” against those who disagree with them. Cr Yildiz, in criticising his fellow councillors, is in fact doing the exact job that he has been elected to do. The Merri-bek Council should be a body in which policies, actions, and public statements are rigorously debated and ideas critiqued. Using the numbers on the council to stifle this criticism is a shocking undermining of democracy. Beware.

https://brunswickvoice.com.au/long-serving-councillor-facing-suspension-for-a-month/