Free speech group raises $50k to challenge Auckland Council over far-Right speaker ban

Tuesday, 10 July 2018

Lauren Southern is hardline on immigration.

A group of lawyers, academics and ex-politicians will take an Auckland Council agency to court over its decision to bar two far-Right speakers from using a council-owned venue.

Free Speech Coalition says it has successfully raised $50,000 needed for the court action – a judicial review of Auckland Live's decision to cancel a venue booking for controversial Canadian duo Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux.

Controversial Canadian duo Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux.

The pair were due to speak at Takapuna's Bruce Mason Theatre in August as part of an Australasian tour.

But Auckland Live director Robbie Macrae last week said security concerns around 'the health and safety of the presenters, staff and patrons' led to the event's cancellation.

* Controversial Canadian speaker denied visa as Auckland agency cancels booking**

Chris Trotter says the money was raised in 24 hours.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff backed that decision, tweeting: 'Views that divide rather than unite are repugnant and I have made my views on this very clear.'

On Tuesday, political commentator Chris Trotter, a supporter of Free Speech Coalition, said the group had reached its $50,000 funding target in less than 24 hours.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff tweeted: 'Venues shouldn't be used to stir up ethnic or religious tensions.'

It would begin proceedings against the council for its ban on Southern and Molyneux from council venues.

'We had hoped to raise this money by 5pm Friday,' Trotter said in a press release.

'However, within the first day of this campaign we have been completely swamped by people pledging money to the cause – from $5 to $5000.'

Free Speech Coalition was backed by the likes of former Labour Party minister Dr Michael Bassett, former National Party and ACT leader Dr Don Brash and lawyer Stephen Franks.

It also had the backing of Auckland University senior lecturer Dr David Cumin, Canterbury University academic Melissa Derby, Property Institute chief executive Ashley Church, AUT professor Paul Moon, broadcaster Lindsay Perigo, writer Rachel Poulain, Taxpayers' Union executive director Jordan Williams and Trotter.

Derby said: 'We look forward to setting a strong legal precedent that shows the use of publicly-owned venue cannot be dictated by the political whims of those in power.

'For us this is not about helping these particular speakers, but in defending the rights of all New Zealanders to express and hear controversial views,' she said.

Southern's views on immigration have prompted the New Zealand Federation of Islam Associations to ask the Government to bar her entry to New Zealand.

The Australian-based promoter of the event said he was working with a group in New Zealand looking at the grounds for the cancellation.

'For the mayor to suddenly have a problem with these speakers, is both exceptional, and we're looking at whether it is illegal,' Axiomatic Events' David Pellowe said.

'It's not about the event, it's about issues of justice and freedom of speech.'

Pellowe said he didn't agree with the grounds cited by the council arm Auckland Live.

'We accepted that they weren't open to further discussion,' he said.

No system will survive if it is contingent on shutting down any discussion or criticism of its issues. What kind of faith does this inspire in your ideology if it cannot be questioned? Does the 'enrichment' of diversity come at the cost of our rights to speech? https://t.co/lxhxuMQ3PB

— Lauren Southern (@Lauren_Southern) July 6, 2018

Auckland Live said it talked with the promoter about security and safely delivering the event, given the escalation of polarised views and security concerns for the presenters, patrons and staff.

'Following consultation with Auckland Live lawyers, an assessment showed that the costs of security, police and road closures would be significant,' Macrae said.

'There would also be an effect on surrounding businesses and Takapuna community. Additional costs would have to be borne by the promoter.'

For the Australian venues on the tour the venue location is only made available to ticket buyers 24 hours prior to the event, but in New Zealand it was more than a month ahead, Macrae said .

In March, Southern was barred from entering the United Kingdom, with a Home Office spokesperson saying her presence in the UK was 'not conducive to the public good', international media reported.