Dumped 'free speech' sacrifice

Craig Warhurst

AND then there were three...

In an election campaign which has been full of surprises already, suddenly the Gympie electorate has also become a vortex for issues of Islamic fundamentalism, multi-culturalism, women's rights and free speech.

Labor candidate, Daniel Tabone chose to walk the plank at the weekend (and he insists he was not pushed) over his support for the free speech rights of the Sydney Muslim cleric who compared some scantily clad women to “uncovered meat”.

Mr Tabone made it clear yesterday that he did not support the cleric's remarks or share his opinions but was concerned to defend the right of free speech.

Quoting the French writer Voltaire, he said: “I disapprove of what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it”.

However, it seems Mr Tabone may still be technically a candidate, because it is too late to withdraw.

Electoral laws mean that Mr Tabone will still be on the ballot paper on Saturday, endorsed as the Labor candidate, even though both Mr Tabone and the ALP do not want anyone to vote for him.

“It comes down to a comment I made a few years ago, before I even joined the Labor Party.

“It's better if people can say what they think and we can judge them accordingly.

“I'm a big supporter of free speech,” he said.

Mr Tabone insists that he was not sacked by Labor over his remarks, although the word “dumped” has been widely used.

“I got a phone call at the weekend. I was asked very nicely if I would withdraw from the election and I agreed,” the almost ex-candidate said. “I guess I'm too much a person who calls a spade a spade.”

Rival candidates made their assessments yesterday.

The Greens' Kent Hutton said: “I can't relate to his comments. We live in a multicultural society that works toward harmony. Comments like this are unacceptable and to be condemned.”

Independent Elisa Roberts said: “The ALP dumped Daniel Tabone at the weekend after it was revealed he'd supported derogatory remarks made by Muslim Cleric Sheik Hilaly, about “scantily clad” women, two years ago.

“It is now even more important that voters consider who they will support in Gympie. Voters who are fed up with the “Big Parties” only have a choice of the Green's candidate or me,” she said.

“The Greens are giving their preferences to Labor in 14 electorates,” she said, “and although Gympie is not one of the 14, a vote for the Gympie Greens candidate is still a vote for Labor on a state-wide basis.

“How could a party that claims to be so opposed to the Traveston Crossing dam possibly give preferences to Labor?”

Ms Roberts said that left only her and the LNP “whose candidate has achieved so little for his electorate since he was elected, and whose party wants massive public sector job cuts, or an independent, with a strong record of achievements.”

Sitting MP David Gibson said: “Gympie is a vibrant community, with a rich diversity of religion, culture and opinion. Our community is built on a solid foundation of tolerance and respect.

“The conduct of the Labor candidates is a matter for the internal workings of the Labor party, but what I will say is that all of a sudden we have Ms Bligh not only making Cabinet ministers de-necessary she has made the local Labor candidate de-necessary,” he said.