Free Speech Union
We’ve had a number of enquiries over recent weeks about events involving controversial YouTuber Lee Williams (no relation) – who first came to our attention after media reported on apparent “white supremacist statements” and a campaign by the Twitter “community” to have Mr Williams sacked and more.
In short, we are very concerned with Westpac’s apparent decision to pull banking services on the basis of Mr Williams’ political postings. It’s one thing to lose your job for making political (or offensive, depending on your viewpoint) YouTube videos. It’s quite another to lose the ability to bank.
In defending free speech, we are often required to defend views we don’t agree with. That’s the essential test of whether you’re a champion for free speech or not. I shared my own views on Mr Williams material in this blog post, but ultimately my personal views are immaterial to the defence of free speech.
If activists have the power to close their political opponents’ bank accounts and prevent them from supporting themselves, this is a development that will have disastrous consequences for this country. After mounting this successful “campaign”, who will they have their sights on tomorrow?
I’ve written a blog piece about the issue, and written to Westpac. You can read both here.
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