One of the most cherished rights in any democracy is freedom of speech. China jails dissidents for expressing their opinions, as do other police states including Burma and North Korea. Providing opposing opinions to government ensures checks and balances - and avoids extremes and abuses.

Today I am in Adelaide, quaintly known as the City of Churches. It is also home to Australia’s only convicted terrorist, David Hicks.

With saturation media coverage Hicks was released from jail between Christmas and New Year and was taken by supporters to an undisclosed location to begin the adjustment to civilian life. Five years of solitary confinement and egregious treatment mean he’s no longer able to function in society. An acclimatization field trip in a van had to be called of due to a panic attack. Hicks thought he was being taken back into US custody for another series of interrogations under questionable techniques.

So now he is free. But Hicks is not free to talk. He cannot discuss his treatment under US captivity. He cannot talk about the deal that returned him to Australia - but freed him after the federal election. He cannot chronicle to the public his illegal actions that led to his arrest.

Look at it this way. We’ve all been at the receiving end of bureaucratic stupidity, whether it’s a disagreement with local council or a dispute with the telephone company. We witness idiocy every day. And we vent to family members, friend or neighbours. It’s therapeutic. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban can sell photos of their expected baby when it’s delivered (way to go guys!) for up to $2 million.

And yet David Hicks cannot speak.

A gag order is a major deprivation of freedom and is being applied at a time when we need to know all about government abuses of power.  It is Hicks’ right to speak. It is our right to hear.