The Federal Court has reserved judgement in James Cook U’s appeal against the trial judge’s ruling that it was wrong to dismiss academic Peter Ridd for his criticism of research at the university

Last year Judge Vasta found Dr Ridd’s remarks were protected by the academic comment provisions of the applicable JCU enterprise agreement.

This is an important case for universities in general and the National Tertiary Education Union, as well as Dr Ridd and JCU. The comrades think academic comment protections should be set-out in enterprise agreements, rather than included in university codes of conduct. Some universities like them in the latter.

The NTEU successfully sought leave to intervene in JCU’s appeal (CMM October 17 2019). Their views were heard on Wednesday.