Chester Borrows: Freedom - don't stuff it up

Chester Borrows

AFTER recent events, I received a text from a friend and former sergeant of police that simply read: "So, in reflecting on the day, are you still so proud of this justice system you helped create?"

Man, I had time to reflect on that over the following few hours.

Well-known phrases, such as "The law is an ass", tend to underline that it is an odd system where the most basic, practical and blindingly obvious become less clear with the benefit of 20-20 hindsight and not the opposite.

After decades in the system, I doubt I could have been better prepared to view the process from the dock -- albeit I was only standing in the dock for a few minutes, as I sat alongside my lawyer for the duration of proceedings.

But despite all my experience of courtrooms, I can't help but wonder and worry how overwhelming the process might be for a defendant less equipped for the trial process. How frightening that might be -- especially for somebody charged with a serious offence.

I do like the fact that close scrutiny is given to even minor incidents, though the cost of achieving that scrutiny is far beyond somebody without the money to pay for justice.

I also like living in a country where people have the right to protest and be heard by ministers of the Crown by just standing on the footpath and calling out or holding a banner. In our country they do not run the risk of arrest or imprisonment or being shot for stating their case -- we have a freedom of speech pretty much unrivalled, and long may it last as long as such protests are within the law.

Right to protest: Anti-Trans Pacific Partnership protesters outside the Collegiate Motor Inn last year. Photo/file

My fear is that with close exposure to protesters and those who threaten violence -- and the genuine protesters tend to attract others who definitely are threatening, as was the case at the Collegiate Motor Inn last year -- I am afraid we'll see less and less opportunity to exercise that free speech in person to politicians.

Ministers will no longer travel in their own vehicles but travel in Crown cars in motorcades, and they won't go to venues without a significant police presence between them and the protesters.

They'll rush from car to the sanctum of the venue without stopping to talk or be talked to. Maybe they will stop buying their own groceries because being accosted in the supermarket all the time becomes too much of a hassle. Sporting events will only be viewed on a screen or from a corporate box.

The fear of becoming a target -- not only for the odd "wacko" but also for police complaints that can lead to prosecution -- will mean dignitaries will become so risk-averse, they'll be unapproachable and removed from the very people they are charged to represent.

They will become remote, and the legislation they pass will reflect that.

I don't want to live in a country where voices can't be heard and where we don't feel inclined or welcome to wander up to a local MP and have a chat, or stand on a footpath and carry a placard. We live in an incredible country and enjoy incredible freedoms. My advice to us all is not to stuff it up.