An independent review is to be conducted to evaluate the progress Australian universities have made implementing free speech on their campuses.
The Department of Education, Skills and Employment said the review would explore how well the universities had adopted the French Model Code which provided a framework for universities by protecting freedom of speech and academic freedom as paramount values of Australian universities.
Minister for Education, Dan Tehan announced that lawyer and former Vice-Chancellor Professor (Emeritus) Sally Walker would evaluate the alignment of university policies with the principles of the Model Code.
“Our Government is committed to protecting free speech and universities share that commitment,” Mr Tehan said.
“The review will consider areas of strength or weakness in institutional responses to the Code and offer suggestions where alignment could be improved,” he said.
“The test of our commitment to free speech is whether we are willing to tolerate the speech of others, especially those with whom we most disagree.”
Mr Tehan said the terms of reference asked Professor Walker to validate the alignment of universities’ suite of relevant policies with the principles of the Model Code; consider whether there were areas of strength or weakness in institutional responses; identify exemplars of particularly good practice that could be promoted within the higher education sector; and provide advice to the Minister for Education on the overall alignment of universities’ policies with the principles of the Model Code.
He said Professor Walker would also provide advice on whether the Code needed further refinement or change.