Israel Folau has emerged as the unlikely champion of freedom of expression in Australia’s culture wars. Unlike too many spineless cowards in the public sphere, Folau is not only standing his ground he’s also taking the fight right up to the wokescolds.
Israel Folau has broadened his case against Rugby Australia, claiming his sacking was an unreasonable restraint of trade because it stopped him playing rugby union at the international level and for an Australian team in the Super Rugby competition.
The offenderati have got too used to getting away with their economic terrorism: cowing organisations into slavishly following their “progressives” diktats with an invariably entirely fictitious threat-display of alleged “boycotts”. (In fact, the “get woke, go broke” reverse is usually true: just ask Gillette). Rugby Australia are already paying dearly for their cowardly virtue-signalling. If Folau is successful, they’ll pay even more.
In a 26-page statement of claim lodged with the Federal Circuit Court, the rugby star has argued that on its proper construction, his player contract did not prevent him from practising his religion or sharing his beliefs in his own time, provided he did so lawfully.
However, to the extent it tried to do so, it was against public policy and “therefore void at law and of no effect”.
In the alternative, he has argued that his contract was not breached as a matter of fact by his social media posts.
The rugby star has launched legal action against Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs seeking an apology, financial compensation and the right to resume his career on the field as a champion player representing his country.
His playing contract was terminated on May 17 after he posted “biblical teachings” on his Instagram and Twitter accounts, sparking a national debate over religious freedom and a campaign to strengthen related laws nationally…The effect of his dismissal was that he could no longer play rugby union at an international level (because he was not eligible to play for any other country) or from playing for an Australian team in the Super Rugby competition — which he argues was an unreasonable restraint of trade, contrary to public policy and void.
theaustralian.com.au/sport/israel-folau-widens-his-case-against-rugby-australia
If Folau wins his case, he will set a precedent that should give other corporations pause to consider, before they indulge in their next round of spineless virtue-signalling. Even if he doesn’t he has shook the ground in the culture wars in Australia, especially by in no small part triggering the Morrison government’s new religious freedom bill.
Israel Folau might not be the free speech champion we expected, but he is proving to be the one we needed.