The Mocker: Tim Soutphommasane’s latest tantrum was petulant and unbecoming

Dr Tim Soutphommasane, Race Discrimination Commissioner, addresses the National Press Club.

Well that was quite a Tim-tantrum, wasn’t it? In an interview with Jacqueline Maley of the Sydney Morning Herald published on Saturday, Race Discrimination Commissioner Dr Tim Soutphommasane labelled this newspaper an “alt-right rag” and a “a poor man’s Breitbart”. He angrily accused his media critics of speaking from a “parallel universe”, saying they “do not represent mainstream, pro-multicultural Australian values”.

Could this really be the same man who incessantly reminds us about the importance of tolerance, respect, and harmony? Even for one who has made his career out of publicly admonishing those who have disappointed him, this display was remarkably petulant and most unbecoming of an Australian Public Service mandarin.

As all mainstream Australians who have marked August 19 on their calendar with a big smiley-face know, Soutphommasane’s five-year term with the Australian Human Rights Commission ends next month. Judging by his outburst, we can only assume it has been a tiring and emotional experience. You may believe a $353,180 salary equates to the life of Riley, but think how hard it must be for this professional grievance-monger to justify his position, especially in one of the most peaceful countries in the world. Imagine reporting to a United Nations committee in Geneva and trying to keep a straight face as you warn of the perilous state of race relations in Australia and stress your critical role in keeping white supremacists at bay.

Never one to concede he could have done things better, Soutphommasane still maintains he does his job “without fear or favour”. In regards to the late artist and cartoonist for this newspaper Bill Leak, he denies he “solicited” complaints under section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, which makes it unlawful to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person on the basis of race, colour, or national or ethnic origin. In 2016, Leak published a cartoon featuring a delinquent indigenous father who did not know this name of his wayward teenage son. “Thanks for bringing (sic) to my attention,” tweeted Soutphommasane upon being alerted. He then provided a link for people to make an 18C complaint.

thanks for bringing to my attention. Here's info on how people may lodge a complaint under the RDA https://t.co/0T6GhEMmqk

— Tim Soutphommasane (@timsout) August 4, 2016

Now compare his response to a dance performance last month at the University of Melbourne which segregated white people from those of colour. The latter were invited into the theatre first, whereas the former were lectured by dancers about their “white privilege” and asked to sign a piece of paper on the wall bearing the words “I acknowledge where I stand.” Those who refused were not permitted entry. When contacted about this, Soutphommasane did not directly comment on the performance, but added that “section 18D [of the RDA] exempts artistic work and public discussion that is done reasonably and in good faith.” Tellingly, in his initial response in the case of Leak’s cartoon he did not refer to this defence.

Bear in mind Soutphommasane’s mantra “It is not enough to be non-racist; we must also be anti-racist,” and the fact he is the author of the book I’m Not Racist But. That would have you believe he has a zero-tolerance of racism, which makes sense given his role.

How must we respond to racism and bigotry? It is not enough to be non-racist; we must also be anti-racist https://t.co/nOMUNFZYa7

— Tim Soutphommasane (@timsout) August 23, 2017

Yet when commenting in May on an article which lauded the rise of progressive comedians — including one ABC skit where a mock panel of non-white participants agreed that white people are “c***s”, he resorted to weasel words. “People are distinguishing between satire and prejudice,” he tweeted. “There’s a difference between comedians ‘punching up’ and ‘punching down’.” He might as well have just said it is impossible to be racist towards white people.

People are distinguishing between satire and prejudice — there’s a difference between comedians “punching up” and “punching down” https://t.co/swTFE5RhF6

— Tim Soutphommasane (@timsout) May 4, 2018

That same month I wrote of his silence on Twitter regarding media reports of violent assaults in which African and indigenous youths allegedly targeted white people. How is his “without fear or favour” approach looking?

No doubt Attorney-General Christian Porter had similar thoughts when he stated in February that Soutphommasane’s replacement would “have an understanding and empathy not merely for minority groups but for middle Australian values”. A prickly Soutphommasane claimed in response Porter was implying some minorities “didn’t belong to mainstream Australia”.

Porter’s dig was not undeserved. Instead of representing all Australians, Soutphommasane has presented as a fierce advocate for minorities. He prides himself on his pugnacity, but this posturing is not courage. It is the smugness of the door monitor whose bravery is conditional on not straying from the teacher at recess. His portrayal of commentators who supported reforming 18C as those who “complain about there not being enough freedom of speech to racially insult or offend others” was arrogant and skewed. Not surprisingly, he is seen as divisive.

New Good Life podcast: Tim Soutphommasane on racism, patriotism & culinary multiculturalism
iTunes: https://t.co/E8FDpFvMob
Google Play: https://t.co/bOy9ecDLu0 pic.twitter.com/ptuXHwRIlt

— Andrew Leigh (@ALeighMP) June 28, 2018

In an interview with opposition frontbencher Andrew Leigh last month he said in relation to his interest in race “I’ve always had an acute sense of who I am.” He’s not wrong. In a forum earlier this year he acknowledged his surname was difficult to pronounce and told attendees they could instead address him as “Dr Tim”. Someone needs reminding he is all of 35 years old.

On the subject of people mispronouncing his name daily, Dr Tim stressed to Leigh “I’m not finding fault with people for that”. In 2016 in an interview with the Australian Financial Review he said in regards to flight attendants who did not attempt to pronounce his name “If someone says to me they’re not even going to try to pronounce my name, that doesn’t necessarily send a good signal. It says that they’re not even bothered to treat me with respect.”

But Dr Tim needs reminding that respect goes both ways. In his latest outburst he took issue with the conservative Institute of Public Affairs think tank for supporting the failed reforms to amend section 18C. This was, he said a “futile campaign”, and he was critical of the organisation for “wasting its members’ money”.

As an aside, do you too wonder why the likes of Dr Tim — a self-described “social democrat” — are so obsessed with how the masses spend their money when they themselves splurge on the public purse? In the past five years he has been paid more than $1.5 million. That does not include the numerous expenses associated with the running of his office, as well as the cost of his frequent domestic and international travel.

If he wants to talk about wasting money, we can start with the taxpayer’s perspective. What about the AHRC’s ridiculous video last year featuring the malevolent white male who lurks in lifts and stops dark-skinned people from entering?

The American economist and social theorist Thomas Sowell accurately described this ludicrous state of affairs when he said “We are among the biggest fools in history if we keep on paying people to make us hate each other.”

And what of Dr Tim’s accusation that this newspaper is an “alt-right rag”? Well, here is what he said about it in 2011. “I disagree with [Robert] Manne on his conclusions that the newspaper is a fundamentally malign influence on national politics. To be sure, I have my bias as a regular columnist with The Australian … I believe the newspaper is the best in the country even though I don’t always agree with its editorial line.”

This hostile about-face wouldn’t have anything to do with this newspaper holding the AHRC to account for its scaremongering, politicisation and outright incompetence over the past few years, surely? Perhaps he also thinks criticism of the AHRC this week for ruling Suncorp should pay compensation to a man convicted of possessing child pornography who was refused employment is further evidence The Australian has become Breitbart.

For all his homilies on egalitarianism and respect, Dr Tim gives the impression he would be far more comfortable in a country where newspapers are loath to criticise high-ranking public officials such as himself for fear of repercussion. As to what his future holds, the former ALP speechwriter and staffer has not ruled out entering politics. Does he intend writing an autobiography and if so, what is the title — I’m Not Against Free Speech But, perhaps?

As for all those who have copped a Dr Tim denunciation for exposing his shortcoming or ridiculing his officious manner, I am sure the words of James Whistler will resonate. “I am awe-struck and I tremble,” he wrote, “for the rage of sheep is truly a terrible thing.”