Can our democratic processes protect our civil liberties and freedom of expression or do we need a Bill of Rights? According to Free Speech Central West (FSCW), Australia is the only western democracy without a Bill of Rights or constitutional recognition of the right to free speech. The organisation is holding a forum at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Orange Campus this Sunday June 25. Kay Nankervis, a lecturer in CSU’s School of Communication and a member of FSCW says it is imperative that her journalism students be aware of the issue. “They often don’t immediately grasp the importance of their freedom to report: that it is not curbed by whomever they work for or by security laws that prevent them from naming certain activities or information. Like most Australians they can be complacent about our rights of freedom of association and to express an opinion. We assume those rights will always be there, but they can be legislated away.”  Speakers at the forum including constitutional lawyer Professor George Williams, Orange barrister Derek Cassidy QC, former independent State and Federal parliamentarian Ted Mack,and Federal Member for Calare, Peter Andren will debate the statement: In a democracy like Australia there is no need for a bill of rights.