To The Australian Graham Richardson states that he would "never allow Holocaust-deniers to peddle their nonsense" ("Decorum in forum aids free speech", 13/5). He believes in limited speech, not free speech. He also says that he will vote Labor until the day he dies. Yes, the two things go together. Anyone voting Greens-Labor in the coming elections either (like Richardson) undervalues the fundamental importance of genuine free speech to our traditional Australian way of life or is ignorant of the issues involved. Once you allow the principle of intellectual freedom to be a little eroded, you open the door to further erosions and before you know it you live under tyranny. Perhaps Richardson could explain why "nonsense" needs to be stopped by legal sanctions. It's overkill, surely!
Nigel Jackson, Belgrave, Vic
Authorised by K. W. Grundy
13 Carsten Court, Happy Valley, SA.