Lobbyists and Locusts
The Australian Tuesday, June 19, 2001
In big headlines, it is reported that aboriginal leader Geoff Clark, chairman of ATSIC, is accused of rape – a socially and politically damaging accusation. There is a fine line between freedom of the press and trial by media, but this is not my point today.
A NSW magistrate, Ms Pat O’Shane, speaks out and warns the public that not all accusations of rape are genuine. A prudent counterbalance I would have thought. But then, the magistrate is howled down by a Women’s Electoral Lobby spokesperson and other commentators as being biased and unfit to try rape cases!
I have no knowledge or opinion as to the accusations made against Mr Clark. But I would hope that every judge in every serious case would advise their jury that accusations are not automatically true, but must be assessed when the case is heard.
Even if Mr Clark turns out to be guilty, Ms O’Shane will have done the right thing. Where were the higher judges or attorneys general? Democracy depends on its judiciary to stand independent of lobby groups.
We are warned by this (and other examples) to scrutinise lobbyists. There are those who bring society’s attention to a worthy cause – good on them.
But take note: there are also those lobbyists who will sacrifice more fundamental principles (such as justice) to advance their special interest sector (in this example, a particular gender).
Wherever in the world a particular lobby group so elevates it cause as to transcend all other principles, there is wholesale suffering, followed by a painful process of restoration. This type of lobbying is a menace to civilisation.
Philip O'Carroll