There are times we are right to be outraged. But the debate now over the Caroline Wilson comments is not one of them

THE outrage over the comments about journalist Caroline Wilson is misplaced and it isn’t the AFL’s place to judge the issue, writes Jeff Kennett.

SO Eddie McGuire, James Brayshaw and a couple of others have been mauled through the press, by the press and reportedly by the AFL leadership.

Why? Because of a humorous exchange they had before at least two of them, McGuire and Brayshaw, participated in a charity event to raise money for fight against motor neurone disease.

The subject of their humour was Caroline Wilson, the football writer for The Age.

I was amazed by the AFL’s eagerness to judge the issue, but perhaps I should not have been. I certainly was not surprised by the rush to condemn by many lightweights in the media, whose bylines are not recognised by many, if any, as they sought to pummel those who were well known.

So let us consider the facts.

1. Would the comments have stirred anyone’s juices if the subject of the exchange had been a male? No, of course not.

2. Was there any intention or likelihood that the subject matter of the humour was ever going to be put into effect or any attempt made to be put it into effect? No, of course not.

3. In the pursuit of respect, diversity, equal opportunity, equal pay have we not been striving to treat all people equally? Yes, of course.

4. Therefore why should a leader in their field such as Caroline Wilson, who is renowned for giving as good as she gets, not be treated equally? Of course she should be.

5. Why did AFL chief Gillon McLachlan, a week after the incident, apparently rush to criticise the broadcasters? Does he now think the AFL is the arbiter on humour in the community? Let’s hope not.

Eddie McGuire and James Brayshaw.

The AFL has just introduced a Women’s League, which I fully support, and surely that proves the playing field is being levelled up in terms of equality very quickly.

The AFL has also undertaken some wonderful community programs on diversity, respect for women and our indigenous community and many other good causes, including my area of involvement: depression and mental health.

MCGUIRE AND BRAYSHAW UNDER FIRE

WENDY TUOHY: WE SHOULD BE ANGRY

SUSIE O’BRIEN: EDDIE SHOULD BE PART OF SOLUTION

RITA PANAHI: CARO NO VICTIM

But it can’t be all things to all people. It can’t and should not be a promoter of good social behaviour at the expense of what so many of us believe to be one of Australia’s best features: our inherent ockerism, our wonderful ability to take the mickey out of each other and ourselves.

I believe a sense of humour is a vitally important ingredient for good health. It enables us to let off steam when we are stressed or under pressure.

It is part of the balance in life or the yins and yangs that give us the balance we need.

So let’s go back to the comments.

Were they designed to be hurtful, were they ever intended to be acted upon? No.

So why do some people wish to interpret the comments as they have done? Is it another case of tall poppy syndrome?

Caroline Wilson is an adult and a highly experienced journalist. Like all of us, she has a reputation, good and bad.

She, like James Brayshaw or Eddie McGuire, can choose to slide into a pool of ice in support of Neale Daniher’s charitable efforts — or choose not to.

Sam Armytage from Channel 7 did, to her credit, but it is a personal choice. I declined the invitation.

Eddie McGuire preparing to go on the Big Freeze ice slide.

Wilson no doubt has a sense of humour, which she exercises when she sees fit and good luck to her.

I would take the comments as a badge of honour — that her peers so respect her standing that she was selected to be the butt of their humour.

But please, before the thought police destroy us all, think more carefully before we make jokes, but also think more carefully before we rush to criticise.

Some jokes are inadvertently hurtful, some intentionally so. Some are clearly discriminatory and are inappropriate — and apologies are appropriate in such cases.

But if we are not careful, the only words we will shortly be using are yes, no, thank you, good morning, good afternoon and good night. Anything else seems to be in danger of being declared inappropriate.

And when that happens, the Australia I know, and our way of life, will be a very different place from the one for which we are known throughout the world.

Have a good day. And I’m not joking.

Jeff Kennett is a former premier of Victoria and a former president of Hawthorn Football Club

@jeff_kennett