Poor John Howard. Not only is he trailing in the race for PM in Australia, but he's even trailing in his own parliamentary seat. Australia has enjoyed some good economic times but it sounds like they've had enough of Howard and want change. Being close to Bush has not worked out very well for politicians over time.
Considering his similar approach to free speech, it will be a welcome change when both Bush and Howard are out of the picture.
Report author Irene Moss, the former NSW ombudsman, says there are grounds for concern about the state of free speech in Australia.
Her audit, commissioned by a coalition of major media groups, says there are 500 pieces of legislation and at least 1000 court suppression orders still in force that restrict media reporting in Australia.
"The audit would broadly conclude that free speech and media freedom are being whittled away by gradual and sometimes almost imperceptible degrees," she said.
"As a result, I believe there are indeed grounds for concern."
Ms Moss, also a former chair of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, said: "What the audit can observe is that many of the mechanisms that are vital to a well-functioning democracy are beginning to wear thin.
"Their functioning in many areas is flawed and not well maintained."
