Government moves to strengthen free speech on campus

Penny Simmonds announced:

Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities.

“Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse approach,” Ms Simmonds says.

“Universities should promote diversity of opinion and encourage students to explore new ideas and perspectives. This includes enabling them to hear from invited speakers with a range of viewpoints.”

The proposed changes to the Education and Training Act 2020 will set clear expectations on how universities should approach freedom of speech issues. Each university will adopt a freedom of speech statement consistent with these expectations.

This is excellent news. since Don Brash was banned from speaking at Massey, it has been clear there is a serious problem where a subset of academics and students insist on deplatforming views they don’t agree with on the grounds it makes them feel unsafe.

The expectations agreed by Cabinet are:

• Universities should recognise that freedom of speech is critical to maintaining academic freedom.
• Universities should actively foster an environment where ideas can be challenged, controversial issues discussed, and diverse opinions expressed, in a respectful manner consistent with any university codes.
• Universities’ policies and procedures around freedom of speech should be clear, consistently applied, and focused on fostering genuine debate rather than restricting it.
• Universities should not as institutions take positions on matters that do not directly concern the role or functions of the university.
• Universities should not limit freedom of speech of staff or students, except where it violates the law or as required to avoid disrupting the ordinary activities of the university.
• Universities should seek to uphold their role as critic and conscience of society by providing a platform for invited speakers of diverse viewpoints.
• Universities should not deny the use of university premises by an invited speaker on the basis of their ideas or opinions.

None of this should be controversial, or even needed. But it clearly is. I look forward to seeing the actual bill.