Universities urged to adopt free speech code

Human Rights Watch says Australian universities should consider a proposed free speech code as a way to protect students and staff from Chinese government pressure on campuses, writes Fergus Hunter for The Sydney Morning Herald.

The model code proposed by former High Court chief justice Robert French faces an uphill battle, with universities and the Labor Party unconvinced threats to academic freedoms are serious enough to warrant the measure.

In his review of free speech on campus, commissioned by the Morrison government in response to growing concerns, French found "claims of a freedom of speech crisis on Australian campuses are not substantiated" but recommended a voluntary code to strengthen protections. His code lays out principles to ensure that the free speech and academic freedom of staff and students are not unduly restricted, guaranteeing the right to engage in free-flowing inquiry, commentary, discussion and freedom of association.
Full report on The Sydney Morning Herald site