Letter to the Editor – Defending all Tasmanians

Meg Webb | The Advocate | 26 August 2022

 In response to The Advocate editorial, it is concerning to have to point out to a member of the fourth estate that just because one party has won government, it doesn’t mean they get to bypass Parliament, avoid scrutiny or test their ideas (Adv., Aug 24).

That would be a dictatorship, not a parliamentary democracy.

We rightly expect non-government MPs to turn up and work to represent the views of the community, including those not represented by the government of the day.

It is also worth noting that in the current Parliament, Tasmanians have elected 22 non-government MPs compared to the 17 Liberal MPs.

When I defend Tasmanians’ right to peaceful protest I am defending that right for CPSU workers protesting outside MPs office workplaces, farmers seeking to protect their land from mining companies, and local fishers protesting supertrawlers.

I’m defending those rights for everyone, whether I agree with their views or not.

Just as I defend the fourth estate’s right to freedom of speech.

Whether I agree with their editorial focus or not.

Meg Webb, MLC Independent Member for Nelson

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