Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Hansard source

Well, it turns out that it's not only One Nation who is fighting to defend free speech in Australia. There are fighters for this most important democratic right everywhere. I am delighted to tell a story about one of these great Australians, a 14-year-old young man named Liam, and the lesson his history has for members of this parliament.

It was about three months ago, in a year 9 classroom in Queensland, that an assignment was given to students: nominate your personal hero, write a speech about them and deliver a speech to the class. Our intrepid young speechwriter began his assignment by nominating me as his hero. Liam's teacher immediately told him he couldn't do that as I was a figure that was 'too controversial'. Believe me when I tell you that this is not the first time this has happened in an education setting.

The teacher then suggested a number of other public figures, none of whom Liam considered to be his personal hero. Liam decided that he'd go ahead anyway and write a speech about Senator Pauline Hanson. He wrote about me representing forgotten Australians and never giving up. He wrote about my pride in Australia and my patriotism. He wrote about his own pride in Australia and his own patriotism. He wrote about my views on multiculturalism and its impacts on our nation. He wrote about how I put Australia's best interest first. He wrote about my love for my country and how he shared it. And he wrote about bringing common sense back to Australia's political system.

I think that last point was a very astute observation for a young man at the age of 14. Many politicians have only a very tenuous relationship with common sense. For standing up for himself, Liam got a failing grade and was forced to miss the sports session he always looked forward to at the end of the school week. He spent that session in detention. He was detained for standing up for his right to freely express his views.

Over the past few years that has become an all-too-familiar story all over the western world. That's why Liam wrote to my office to let me know what had happened to him. I was humbled by his description of me, and we should all be humbled by his personal courage. Understandably, I was also outraged at how he was treated. He was a young Australian who defied arbitrary authority to stand up for his right to free speech and his right to express a political opinion. Regardless of his opinion and whether you agree with it or not, he showed great courage and he deserves great respect. He exercised the most important democratic right any of us have and he did so with dignity.

I know his parents are very proud of Liam. In fact, his mother wrote to the school to protest his treatment and demand a passing grade for having successfully completed his assignment. She was successful in getting Liam a C-minus. I've since read his speech and I've given it a B-plus. I'd like to have given Liam an A, but I strongly believe we should always give our young people something to strive for.

It has been my privilege to host Liam as my guest in Parliament House today. It has been my privilege because Liam stood up for a democratic right I have championed since I first came to this place 28 years ago. Liam's story is a reminder that freedom of speech is a fundamental right that we must always protect, because there will always be those who try to take it away from us.

Liam's bravery is an example we can all follow. It is Liam who is the real hero of this story. I say to teachers out there: 'How dare you criticise someone who chose me or anyone else? That is their choice. You asked them to do it, and yet you want to strip them of that right to choose who they want because, in your political opinion, I am too controversial.' That's not what should be taught to our kids. Critical thinking should be taught, a way of thinking to encourage. But our teachers today are forcing their own political opinions on young students coming through the system. Is that really what we want? I don't think so. That's not the Australia that many people have fought and died for, for our right to freedom of speech and right to an opinion.

So he is hero to all Australians who believe in the right to freedom of speech and to all Australians who stand to defend it. And do you know what, Liam? You are my personal hero. Thank you.

Senate adjourned at 19:55