Freedom of speech allows people to express their opinions, ideas or beliefs without fearing censorship, retaliation or sanction.
Unlike the United States, which enshrines freedom of speech in its Bill of Rights, Australia does a combination of things to ensure it.
Australian Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay told SBS Examines there's a reason why our laws are more complex.
“When our Constitution was drafted, the drafters ... felt that a robust parliamentary democracy was actually the best way to protect human rights,” she said.
She believes it’s up to the Parliament and the Australian people to protect our right to freedom of speech.
But that doesn’t mean everyone can just say whatever they want without repercussions.
This episode of SBS Examines asks: What is freedom of speech? And do Australians have this right?
