By establishing a review of their progress in implementing the Robert French free speech code the minister keeps the focus off funding
On Friday Education Minister Dan Tehan appointed former Deakin U VC Sally Walker to inquire into universities progress in implementing Mr French’s code of campus free speech.
This is smart politics by the minister: It means Mr Tehan can demonstrate to Coalition MPs and their friends that he is on the free-speech case.
There is a long-held assumption among some Liberal and National Parties MPs that universities freeze out opinions that are unpopular on campus and/or do not suit management interests. Three recent issues can add to that argument.
First there is the foollishness of somebody at UNSW deleting a tweet on its official account pointing to critical commentary on human rights in Hong Kong. Vice Chancellor Ian Jacobs disavowed the action but that hardly undid all the perception damage.
Second, James Cook U successfully sacking Peter Ridd who is an outspoken critic of climate science there, has also upset conservatives. That the Federal Court found the university was within its rights has not quietened critics.
And Uni Queensland has suspended student Drew Pavlou, a fierce critic of the PRC’s human rights record and of the university’s links with China’s government. The university is adamant that Mr Pavlou’s penalties are unrelated to his political views. However, Uni Queensland now holds what CMM guesses is a record, being critically covered by TV’s 60 Minutes two weeks in a row, for its treatment of Mr Pavlou.
Supporters of requiring universities to enact Mr French’s code can also argue that universities and allies may need encouragement.
On Friday Universities Australia responded to Professor Walker’s appointment, stating “freedom of expression and academic freedom are part of the DNA of Australian universities. This is why Mr French’s proposed model code has been given careful attention by our universities to ensure the robustness of their frameworks for free speech and academic freedom.
““Last year universities agreed to adopt, adapt or ensure the principles of the French Model Code were reflected in the broad suite of policies that cover freedom of speech and expression at universities.”
Which may not be enough to convince critics that universities will now completely follow Mr French’s code.
It may also be why Professor Walker’s brief includes; “provide advice to the Minister for Education on the overall alignment of universities policies with the principles of the Model Code and, if warranted, any suggestions on how the alignment could be further improved.”
And it stops university lobbies of issues-oxygen: The Walker review does more than demonstrate to Mr Tehan’s friends that he wants to the French code in-place. Putting campus free speech on the agenda again also provides Coalition members and senators with an issue to take attention away from Mr Tehan’s new funding model for undergraduate places and the government excluding public universities from JobKeeper wage support.
Labor education shadow Tanya Plibersek recognises this. In an interview on Thursday she acknowledged campus free speech is an issue but focused on youth unemployment and the proposed increased costs to students of many degrees.
And Uni Queensland’s brand new (post Pavlou) VC, Deborah Terry, is clearly keen to find clear air for other issues. Professor Terry, who is also chair of UA, issued a weekend statement;
“Academic freedom and freedom of speech go to the absolute core of what defines Australian universities. We support the government’s review of the university’s progress in implementing the model code.
We acknowledge recent commentary may have caused some to question Uni Queensland’s commitment to freedom of speech and we welcome the opportunity to demonstrate otherwise.
It would be remiss of the university not to use this opportunity to validate that we are doing everything we should to demonstrate and encourage academic freedom and freedom of speech.”