Collins wades into free speech debate

National leader Judith Collins has waded into a free speech debate after Christchurch City Libraries barred a controversial group from booking one of its meeting rooms following multiple complaints.

Speak up for Women NZ wanted to host a talk about sex self-identification on Tuesday and booked a room at Tu¯ ranga three weeks ago, but received notification that its booking had been cancelled on Monday.

After appealing the decision, the group was also told its meeting would not be permitted in any of the city’s libraries.

An email from library manager Chris Hay, seen by The Press, said the subject of the group’s meeting may be in conflict with the library’s code of conduct, ‘‘particularly our commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment’’.

He said all customers must respect the rights of others and treat other library users with courtesy.

‘‘We are also concerned about the potential risk of disruption at Tu¯ ranga due to protests by members of the public,’’ Hay wrote.

The group has courted controversy since its inception in 2018 when it invited controversial Canadian blogger Meghan Murphy, who has been banned from Twitter for hate speech, to speak at its events. The incident led to Massey University cancelling a book

‘‘Council buildings are there for everyone in the community to use.’’ Judith Collins National Party leader

ing made by the group at one of its Wellington venues.

The group has also campaigned against the inclusion of transgender women in women’s sport.

The group was formed in opposition to the Government’s proposal to allow people to self-identify their sex in the Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Bill. It planned to discuss aspects of the bill in Christchurch.

Spokeswoman Georgina Blackmore said she was shocked and upset at the library’s decision. She felt the group had been de-platformed and blacklisted from meeting at all council-owned venues.

‘‘We have a right to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech. It was handled very poorly by the library and I feel thoroughly aggrieved by it,’’ she said.

National Party leader Judith Collins waded into the debate yesterday, saying the library’s decision was disappointing. Speak Up For Women’s former spokesperson, Ani O’Brien, works in National’s media office.

‘‘Council buildings are there for everyone in the community to use, they shouldn’t be picking and choosing who can hold events there based on what the discussion is,’’ Collins said.

Part of being a healthy democracy meant allowing community groups to discuss topics and legislation and hear differing views, she said.

‘‘It works in both ways, people are entitled to voice their views and others are entitled to criticise those views, but they should be able to speak nonetheless,’’ Collins said.

Christchurch City Libraries head Carolyn Robertson said internal legal advice was sought before the decision to cancel the booking was made.

While cancelling the event was a limitation on the group under the Bill of Rights Act, it was considered justifiable as Tu¯ ranga staff did not have the resources to manage the risk of further opposition to the event escalating, she said.

The library received 10 complaints from the public when the event was advertised, which gave staff a better understanding of the risks associated with hosting the event, Robertson said.

Staff informed the group of other potential venues in the city, she said.

The Human Rights Commission declined to comment.