He said he would and now he has – Education Minister Dan Tehan has introduced a bill into parliament, “to strengthen protections for freedom of speech and academic freedom”
The bill will include the content of the model code created by Robert French in his review of free speech in universities, in the Higher Education Support Act. Mr Tehan announced he would legislate at the beginning of the year (CMM January 22). It followed his warning that he would also benchmark the way universities include Mr French’s recommendations in their codes (CMM December 2 2019). Presumably Mr Tehan is now waiting on Sally Walker’s review of how they are going (CMM August 10).
While universities do not like ministers telling them what to do they are unlikely to complain about the legislation – basically because they can claim its purpose is already covered by their existing rules and policies. Their response to whatever Mr Tehan decides to do about Professor Walker’s review might be a bigger issue. But now and in the future, there is little to be gained and a deal to lose by making a stand for university autonomy.
There is a caucus in the coalition that believes universities drive out critics who challenge managements over climate change research and relations with China’s government and communist party.
The sacking by James Cook U of scientist Peter Ridd is the example of choice on the former and Uni Queensland’s suspension of student Drew Pavlou on the latter. Queensland senator Pauline Hanson, who supports campus free speech legislation and Independent MP Bob Katter share coalition opinion, in whole or part.
The bit in the bill which will appeal to university critics is the definition of academic freedom to include; “the freedom of academic staff and students to express their 23 opinions in relation to the higher education provider in which 24 they work or are enrolled.”
The bill is now before the Reps, and whatever measures follow is the least Mr Tehan will do to demonstrate that the government will act to protect dissidents. More will follow when the government amends the Higher Education Threshold Standards to conform with Mr French’s proposed model code