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While I unreservedly support Professor Margaret Somerville's opinion, one should be very wary of opposing viewpoints masquerading as tangible arguments appearing across Twitter. Twitter is hardly a platform for mature debate.

I have recently quoted the words of the English radical, Thomas Paine reminding us that a democratic, mature, and civilised society should never shut out the views of those with whom we disagree.

He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself ~Thomas Paine

Unfortunately the Catholic clerical sexual scandals have created a hostile atmosphere for those voicing unpopular opinions, who just happen to be Catholic.

If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear ~George Orwell


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Well, Pete, I have no doubt that Australia's institutions are sufficiently robust to resist the attempts of populists to shut down free debate what ever the topic.