Are we winding down for Christmas? Not a chance!

Last week we contacted you with three big wins, but we can't put our feet up just yet... not until the would-be-censors go on their Christmas break!

Law change to allow Police to charge for presence at public events: ripe for abuse by would-be-censors

If you want to run an event, should you have to pay for police to stop thugs from trying to shut it down? 

Greg Fleming, MP for Maungakiekie was on Newstalk ZB this morning, talking about his push to allow Police to charge for their presence at events, which he claims is a distraction from their real jobs.

But this change is a slippery slope that would see trumped-up security costs used as a way to suppress 'provocative' opinions from being discussed. That's why our team has swung into action contacting the Minister and Associate Minister of Police.

If you allow Police to charge for their presence, this invites abuse of the system to use this law prejudicially against certain groups and organisations who hold particular viewpoints.

Not to mention the fact it's likely to put off grassroots and not-for-profit organisations from holding events.

When our CEO spoke with Greg Fleming today, the MP agreed that it could likely mean at our next AGM, we'd have to pay extra to have Police present.

Police have a duty to protect the public from physical harm, and the public fund them to do so. Aren't our taxes already paying for them for this?

Event organisers should not be hindered by costs for Police because others might break the law. 

Should Speak Up For Women have to pay for Police protection at an event in a library if a counterprotest gets out of hand? We've seen processes like this weaponised already for private security.

There's no way we're going to let it happen for publicly funded police, too.  

Democracy relies on free speech; charging for Police presence at events is likely to shut down discourse and inhibit debate. We'll continue to push back against such a silly notion. 

Nurses don’t give up their basic rights when they sign up to serve

Talking about deterring free speech... Yet again, we're up against the Nursing Council.

They recently produced new registered nurse standards of competence that are bound to have a chilling effect on some nurses, and it's just like the criteria that NZ teachers have to meet.

There are six standards of competence, and unsurprisingly they leave little room for differing beliefs. 

The first of these standards include "an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, kawa whakaruruhau, cultural safety and health equity [as a] fundamental to patient safety", "nurses are also required to demonstrate kawa whakaruruhau by addressing power imbalances and working collaboratively with Māori", and "can describe the impact of colonisation and social determinants on health and wellbeing". 

This assumes all nurses share the same perspectives on these issues and I simply don't believe that is the case. 

These requirements make assumptions on contested political issues and their impact on healthcare, impose them on the whole profession, and threaten to drive out anyone who disagrees. 

But we believe nurses should get to make up their own minds on ideological issues. These new standards pigeonhole nurses into holding certain perspectives. 

We've contacted the Nursing Council with our concerns, asking them how they'll ensure that nurses are guaranteed their rights to freedom of expression to debate contested issues. 

Nurse investigated by Nursing Council over Facebook posts

You may remember Jenny Hobson, a nurse we recently told you about who has been investigated over a handful of Facebook posts claiming that she thought Dragqueen Storytime at a local library was wrong.

Jenny met with her employer, NZ Health, (along with our Free Speech Union lawyer for good measure) last week to discuss the outcome of the disciplinary investigation.

They told her they wouldn't take the investigation further, but they gave her a letter of expectations to make sure it doesn't happen again. 

They said if it does, the outcome would be different. 

She shouldn't have been investigated in the first place. If she comes up against this nonsense again, we're ready to defend Jenny further, and we've told Health NZ as much. 

Both the new standards, and the story of Jenny Hobson show exactly why the Free Speech Union needs to be fighting in our healthcare for free speech, and why we have launched a membership precisely for those who are in these professions. 

Do you work in a Healthcare profession, or know someone who does?

This membership means we can stand up against the bullies pushing ideology, when all they should be requiring is medical excellence. Join today, get us in your corner, and help us push back against this tide of intolerance.

Massey takes a political stance on the Treaty Principles Bill: so much for 'institutional neutrality'

Free speech can only be defended if the playing field is kept even. 

Recently, Massey University gave their staff an email signature to use that takes a supportive stance on the Treaty Principles Bill. Was there a email signature for those who wanted to support the Bill? Now come on, don't be silly! 

If Massey is to be a place where ideas can be discussed and debated, they shouldn't take a stance on political issues at all.

Sure, the email signature is optional; no one has to use it, but by sending this to staff, Massey is essentially putting their thumb on the scales.

Universities are funded by the taxpayers and have obligations to uphold academic freedom; it's up to the university staff and students to take a stance, not the institution. We've contacted Massey, asking how they can justify adopting a stance on the Treaty and the Treaty Principles Bill when they're funded by the public. 

Hear Dr. Michael Johnston, member of our Inter-University Council for Academic Freedom, discuss this with Sean Plunket last week. 

Earlier this year, we began to introduce our profession-specific memberships. I am so pleased we did, because it seems more relevant than ever. 

This is where my role comes in. I work with, and advocate for, each of these professions, and all our members, to ensure that Kiwis' speech rights are being upheld in these crucial workplaces. 

In the past week, we've launched a professional membership for media professionals and religious leaders which completes our seven professional memberships!

Check out the complete set on our website... Maybe FSU memberships are the perfect way to tick off that Christmas shopping list...? 🎁

Steph Martin Stakeholder Relationship Manager Free Speech Union www.fsu.nz

PS. Our recent tour with Dr. Peter Boghossian was a great success! He is all about communicating across divides and his message seems more important than ever. 

If you missed it - check out this great range of interviews. Hear him chat with Sean Plunket, Andrew Urquhart, Damien Grant, Simon O'Connor, and read Yvonne van Dongen's write up here.