Universities Protecting Freedom of Speech Amid Campus Protests: Secretary

‘Under legislation, universities must allow the freedom of academic staff and students to express their opinions,’ said Education Department Secretary.

Student activists set up a protest camp site for Palestine at the University of Sydney in Sydney, Australia, on May 3, 2024. Ayush Kumar/AFP via Getty Images

The federal Education Department has affirmed freedom of speech is protected at Australian universities amid concerns of anti-semitic messaging during pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus.

During a Budget Estimates hearing on June 6, Department Secretary Tony Cook discussed how freedom of speech was being implemented.