Many people disagree with the views of Dr Jim Saleam, but in a free nation we should be able to discuss his views and whether or not they have merit without descending into nasty name-calling. That the Deputy Premier hid behind parliamentary privilege to attack his party’s political rival doesn’t sit well with many people.

When we talk about “freedom of speech”, we’re borrowing from the American lexicon, which in turn was informed by the notion of liberty espoused by the French revolutionaries.

That maxim though, of “liberté, égalité, fraternité(or liberty, equality, fraternity), is misunderstood by many in the English-speaking world. That freedom of which we speak is bounded by the freedom of others. If our free speech runs roughshod over another person’s freedom, then there’s a problem. 

We’ve seen this played out nationally with the same-sex marriage debate. Regardless of your views on the matter, there’s going to be someone who disagrees. But how we respond to those differing views is up to us.

The phrase “to take offence” it truly telling. You take offence, rather than give it. Now that doesn’t open the floodgates for us to show disregard for people around us, rather it should be a reminder to conduct ourselves with civility.

This is all very important to keep in mind when looking at the Cootamundra by-election. People probably have a pretty good idea on how they’ll vote already, but it’s important we give each candidate a chance to have their say on why they should get the job.

Certainly, the race for Cootamundra is one that will intensify in the coming weeks. And while many have predicted doom for the Nationals, it will be hard to overcome the 30 point margin Katrina Hodgkinson held at the last election.

Still, the cries of “independents will never form government” are more than a little hollow. True, if Matthew Stadtmiller or Jim Saleam win they won’t be in government, but they may just join the long line of independents who could one day hold a balance of power.

Food for thought indeed.