“Turn down the temperature,” they say. Yet Mehreen Faruqi describes One Nation’s rise as the “early moments of a potential fascist future”, warning of people being rounded up and put in camps. “Turn down the temperature.” Islamist terrorists murder innocent people at Bondi. Law-abiding firearm owners face tighter restrictions. “Turn down the temperature.” Yet Fatima Payman tells Pauline Hanson she brings “disgrace to the human race”. “Turn down the temperature.” Yet Larissa Waters calls politicians “climate criminals with blood on their hands”. “Turn down the temperature.” Yet after Charlie Kirk’s killing, Hannah Ferguson writes: “Is violence sometimes necessary? Yes.”. “Turn down the temperature.” Yet Lidia Thorpe uses the image of burning down Parliament House “to make a point” and describes a “racist regime of colonisation”. “Turn down the temperature.” Yet Sarah Hanson-Young calls Pauline the “most un-Australian politician in parliament”. Who appointed her the judge of who belongs? “Turn down the temperature.” Yet Albanese describes “hard right populists” as peddling politics that is “dangerous, divisive, and downright dishonest”, before singling out One Nation. “Turn down the temperature.” Yet while the Swans investigation remained unresolved, Tanya Plibersek discussed the allegations alongside rising misogyny and promoted a digital duty of care. Players yet to be charged, and looking like they won’t be. “Turn down the temperature.” Yet the student protest coverage I watched felt positively upbeat. A Pauline-shaped piñata was smashed apart. Protesters chanted “we’re coming for you”. Imagine those scenes aimed at a Labor/Greens senator. Would the coverage feel so cheerful? I don’t recall a comparable chorus of politicians condemning it. Students leave classrooms for climate protests. Imagine a walkout promoting nuclear power. Still young people finding their voice? Challenge our policies. But don’t demand restraint while giving yourself and your side a free pass.