Senate debates

Monday, 15 March 2021

Bills

Higher Education Support Amendment (Freedom of Speech) Bill 2020; In Committee

8:34 pm

Photo of Anne RustonAnne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

The amendment seeks to include the freedom to criticise the Commonwealth government in the definition of academic freedom. This is a free speech matter, rather than an issue of academic freedom. The government doesn't support this amendment, because the freedom of expression of opinions on any matter in a personal capacity is already implicit in the adoption of the French model code, which all universities have already agreed to. So, as I said, the government will not be supporting this amendment.

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