KEY POINTS:
The test of freedom of speech is how one protects the free speech of one's opponents, Act leader Rodney Hide told Parliament yesterday.
In an impassioned speech during debate on the Electoral Finance Bill, he said freedom of speech meant being able to speak one's mind, right or wrong, offensive or not.
"We have a view that we can express any idea on politics that we care to express," he said.
"We particularly guard those people who want to speak out and who we oppose, because that is when the test is on freedom of speech. "
That was why he had always said the Exclusive Brethren should be free to express their political views.
"The issue is not whether I agree with them or not; the issue is whether they are free to do it without Government regulation or sanction.
"If we have to get Government recognition or sanction to express our political opinion, it is not free speech.
"We should not have to go to the Government and sign up and register to express our point of view. "
The bill - which has been split into three bills amending other acts - passed its committee stages last night.
It could possibly receive its final reading tomorrow.
But Parliament is more likely to return next Tuesday to complete it in time for the regulated pre-election period to start on January 1.
The bill sets up new rules regulating election advertising and extending its definition, expanding regulation to non-political parties, and expanding the period of regulation to virtually the whole of election year.
