Q Society meeting: Victoria University apologises for 'inadvertently' hosting controversial group

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-13/victoria-university-apologises-for-hosting-q-society-fundraiser/8266646

Victoria University says it is reviewing its administrative procedures after its Flinders Street campus building was used to hold a fundraising dinner for an anti-Islam organisation last week.

The Q Society dinner, attended by conservative senator Cory Bernardi, was held on Friday night under tight security.

The location was even kept secret from some of its guests until the last minute, in order to avoid disruption from protesters, who had already picketed a bus chartered to bring people to the event.

Inside the building, a strong police presence patrolled downstairs, while guests upstairs had their ID checked and were issued with wristbands before entering.

The Q Society's platform opposes Islamic immigration and halal certification.

It made headlines last week after guest speakers at its Sydney dinner made anti-Islamic and anti-gay slurs.

Both the Sydney and Melbourne events were held to raise funds for the legal defence of two of the group's leaders.

The Q Society's president, Debbie Robinson, and Kirralie Smith — founder of the group 'Halal Choices' — are being sued for defamation by halal certifier Mohamed El-Mouehly.

Victoria University staff and students have lodged a letter of protest with vice-chancellor Professor Peter Dawkins, saying the society goes against the university's values of openness, and of welcoming students from all backgrounds.

Professor Dawkins apologised to staff and students on Monday, saying the university regretted "inadvertently" taking the Q Society's booking.

"Victoria University is a proudly diverse and multicultural institution," the email said.

"We are strongly committed to promoting diversity and cross-cultural understanding. There is a stark divergence of many of the Q Society's views from VU's values."
"Given that VU has a policy on venue hire which states that university facilities will not be made available for activities that are in conflict with or deemed incompatible with the university's values or strategic direction, we are taking swift action to review all administrative processes."

'Anyone brave enough to criticise totalitarian ideologies is our ally'

Hours later, Ms Robinson issued a statement defending the comments made at its Sydney dinner by cartoonist Larry Pickering, and former Liberal MP Ross Cameron.

In an account of the dinner published in Fairfax newspapers, reporter Jacquline Maley quoted Larry Pickering as saying that while he could not stand Muslims, "…they are not all bad, they do chuck pillow-biters off buildings."

Ms Robinson said while the Q Society does not agree with every statement guest speakers make, it does not censor what its guests say at private functions.

"Larry Pickering comments about Islam and homosexuals represent his personal views. If he dislikes Muslims, Catholics, homosexuality or the All Blacks, that's his choice," she said.

He does not speak on behalf of Q Society. Larry and Ross are not members of QSA [Q Society of Australia] and stand their own ground."

"Anyone brave enough to criticise, mock and ridicule totalitarian ideologies and their followers is our ally. Those who eagerly make excuses for Islam's sociopathic prophet and the murderous ideology he spawned, are the enemies of equality, liberty and democracy."

Another lie:


Quote:

Muslims sue....

University leftists- we are open to ideas and discussion as long as we agree with them????  ::)Nazis!!!

Mr Hammer wrote on Feb 15^th, 2017 at 3:54pm:

University leftists- we are open to ideas and discussion as long as we agree with them????  ::)Nazis!!!

you leave trump out of this

http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/000_Was8985988-e1449170307484.jpg

John Smith wrote on Feb 15^th, 2017 at 4:16pm:

Mr Hammer wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 3:54pm: University leftists- we are open to ideas and discussion as long as we agree with them????  ::)Nazis!!! you leave trump out of this http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/000_Was8985988-e1449170307484.jpg

You can't talk. You gather derogatory opinions on people from what clothes and hairstyle they have?? ;D ;D

Speaking of freedom of speech, how about the 88 Australians Islam silenced in Bali? Don't they count any more? That's the problem with the defenders of Islam on this forum. To them, soon as the atrocity drops out of the news, its like in never happened, and Islam has a clean slate.

Mr Hammer wrote on Feb 15^th, 2017 at 4:21pm:

John Smith wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 4:16pm: Mr Hammer wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 3:54pm: University leftists- we are open to ideas and discussion as long as we agree with them????  ::)Nazis!!! you leave trump out of this http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/000_Was8985988-e1449170307484.jpg You can't talk. You gather derogatory opinions on people from what clothes and hairstyle they have?? ;D ;D

what opinions were those dopey?

John Smith wrote on Feb 15^th, 2017 at 4:33pm:

Mr Hammer wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 4:21pm: John Smith wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 4:16pm: Mr Hammer wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 3:54pm: University leftists- we are open to ideas and discussion as long as we agree with them????  ::)Nazis!!! you leave trump out of this http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/000_Was8985988-e1449170307484.jpg You can't talk. You gather derogatory opinions on people from what clothes and hairstyle they have?? ;D ;D what opinions were those dopey?

Aren't people with mullets and flannos beneath you? :-?

Mr Hammer wrote on Feb 15^th, 2017 at 4:37pm:

John Smith wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 4:33pm: Mr Hammer wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 4:21pm: John Smith wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 4:16pm: Mr Hammer wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 3:54pm: University leftists- we are open to ideas and discussion as long as we agree with them????  ::)Nazis!!! you leave trump out of this http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/000_Was8985988-e1449170307484.jpg You can't talk. You gather derogatory opinions on people from what clothes and hairstyle they have?? ;D ;D what opinions were those dopey? Aren't people with mullets and flannos beneath you? :-?

I never said that you idiot.

John Smith wrote on Feb 15^th, 2017 at 4:37pm:

Mr Hammer wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 4:37pm: John Smith wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 4:33pm: Mr Hammer wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 4:21pm: John Smith wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 4:16pm: Mr Hammer wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 3:54pm: University leftists- we are open to ideas and discussion as long as we agree with them????  ::)Nazis!!! you leave trump out of this http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/000_Was8985988-e1449170307484.jpg You can't talk. You gather derogatory opinions on people from what clothes and hairstyle they have?? ;D ;D what opinions were those dopey? Aren't people with mullets and flannos beneath you? :-? I never said that you idiot.

Don't you consider people with flannos and mullets bogans?

Mr Hammer wrote on Feb 15^th, 2017 at 4:39pm:

John Smith wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 4:37pm: Mr Hammer wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 4:37pm: John Smith wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 4:33pm: Mr Hammer wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 4:21pm: John Smith wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 4:16pm: Mr Hammer wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 3:54pm: University leftists- we are open to ideas and discussion as long as we agree with them????  ::)Nazis!!! you leave trump out of this http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/000_Was8985988-e1449170307484.jpg You can't talk. You gather derogatory opinions on people from what clothes and hairstyle they have?? ;D ;D what opinions were those dopey? Aren't people with mullets and flannos beneath you? :-? I never said that you idiot. Don't you consider people with flannos and mullets bogans?

don't change the topic, where did I say anyone with a mullet or flanno was beneath me?

issuevoter wrote on Feb 15^th, 2017 at 4:30pm:

Speaking of freedom of speech, how about the 88 Australians Islam silenced in Bali?

Ah, so ALL Muslims created the explosive and put it into the van and detonated it and the explosives in the backpacks?  You really do like to paint with a broad brush, don't you, IssueVoter?

Your Islamophobia is embarrassing to read.  It is like looking into the mind of a school child.  A very disturbed school child.    ::) ::)

Aussie wrote on Feb 15^th, 2017 at 3:50pm:

Another lie: Quote: Muslims sue....

We're just a hive mind Aussie.

Brian Ross wrote on Feb 15^th, 2017 at 6:48pm:

issuevoter wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 4:30pm: Speaking of freedom of speech, how about the 88 Australians Islam silenced in Bali? Ah, so ALL Muslims created the explosive and put it into the van and detonated it and the explosives in the backpacks?  You really do like to paint with a broad brush, don't you, IssueVoter? Your Islamophobia is embarrassing to read.  It is like looking into the mind of a school child.  A very disturbed school child.    ::) ::)

No no Brian, not "all muslims" - just some guy called "Islam".

polite_gandalf wrote on Feb 16^th, 2017 at 6:41am:

Aussie wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 3:50pm: Another lie: Quote: Muslims sue.... We're just a hive mind Aussie.

Are they not Muslims Gandalf?

polite_gandalf wrote on Feb 16^th, 2017 at 6:45am:

Brian Ross wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 6:48pm: issuevoter wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 4:30pm: Speaking of freedom of speech, how about the 88 Australians Islam silenced in Bali? Ah, so ALL Muslims created the explosive and put it into the van and detonated it and the explosives in the backpacks?  You really do like to paint with a broad brush, don't you, IssueVoter? Your Islamophobia is embarrassing to read.  It is like looking into the mind of a school child.  A very disturbed school child.    ::) ::) No no Brian, not "all muslims" - just some guy called "Islam".

Ah, OK.  That explains a lot, Gandalf...    ::)

My acquaintance in Ceduna is saying the welfare card is working well, the boongs have toned down their behavioural problems, probably looks a bit different to the last time you visited in your old army days.

freediver wrote on Feb 16^th, 2017 at 7:10pm:

polite_gandalf wrote on Feb 16th, 2017 at 6:41am: Aussie wrote on Feb 15th, 2017 at 3:50pm: Another lie: Quote: Muslims sue.... We're just a hive mind Aussie. Are they not Muslims Gandalf?

Its one guy FD, or didn't you read your own article?

Are you actually lauding the Q society has "freedom of speech campaigners"?

Do you understand the difference between attacking "free speech" and suing for defamation?

Quote:

Its one guy FD, or didn't you read your own article?

Sorry, I should have used the singular.


Quote:

Are you actually lauding the Q society has "freedom of speech campaigners"?

"Anyone brave enough to criticise, mock and ridicule totalitarian ideologies and their followers is our ally. Those who eagerly make excuses for Islam's sociopathic prophet and the murderous ideology he spawned, are the enemies of equality, liberty and democracy."


Quote:

Do you understand the difference between attacking "free speech" and suing for defamation?

Vexatious litigation can be very effective at undermining freedom of speech. Have you had to hire any lawyers lately?

The singular?

But FD, was this not GENOCIDE? The Q society agrees that anyone throwing gays out of buildings is not all bad.

But don't worry. This time, we won't ask if you agree or not.

We all know by now.

freediver wrote on Feb 17^th, 2017 at 5:20pm:

Sorry, I should have used the singular.

Yes you should have. It helps distinguish an individual human with agency compared to, you know, a mindless collective. Funnily enough, the need to point out this distinction always seems to come up when talking about muslims.


freediver wrote on Feb 17^th, 2017 at 5:20pm:

Vexatious litigation

Ah, so you're well read up on the actual case are you FD? You must be - as you seem pretty sure its a open and shut case of 'vexatious litigation'. I mean upstanding folks like the Q Society, who go around applauding the execution of gays among other things, would never be the sort of people who go around defaming people like muslims right?

Or is this you stating as fact that its a 'vexatious litigation' in the same way you state as fact that government funds for Islamic schools went to terrorists - ie without a shred of evidence?