Simon O'Connor: Beware signs on footpaths

My free speech sensibilities were the first to kick in last week when I read in legacy media that the Minister of Health had supposedly told public health officials that their views would need to be vetted before being released. The headlines screamed ‘Trumpian’, ‘censorship’, and ‘chilling effect’ and that public health doctors were being prevented from sharing their views.

I should have known better. The headlines were of course sensational and not accurate. I also know the likes of Simeon Brown and others in government, and allowing free speech is a critical value to them.