Adolph Hitler wore a dark suit and tie, was well groomed and spoke about the importance of family values. He vowed to uphold decency through a return to traditional Germanic values. It didn't sound unreasonable at the time.

But beneath this conservative and seemingly respectable veneer, a madman was lurking.

And like all politicians who seek to control the personal lives of the people they represent, one of his first official acts was to censor dissent through a series of spectacular book burnings. Modern art, racially impure texts, anything gay of course, and so-called 'pornography'.

There are plenty of dark-suited and well-groomed politicians in Australia who want to ban 'pornography'. And although they may not light physical fires anymore, they still use the power of the state and the moral authority of their religion to enforce bans on non violent and sexually explicit media. It's a form of control and coercion on otherwise law-abiding citizens that is tantamount to Hitler's thugs setting fire to a collection of books in the 1930s. Pornography is always in the front line of any attack on freedom in the media and on social philosophy.

If you would like to know what the censorship and free speech policies of the major and minor parties are at election times, then log on to voting.org.au

Before every state and federal election, we will email you an update so that you can make an informed vote on these important issues. We will also keep you informed of the progress of any new civil libertarian or free speech parties that are likely to contest further elections.

Your details will be kept only for these purpose and will not be used for any other purpose.