Today, the Federal Court of Australia handed down its decision in the Peter Ridd case, following the appeal hearing in May. The court upheld the appeal, ruling in favour of James Cook University.
In other words, the court delivered a loss to Peter Ridd and the fight for freedom of speech on climate change.
This is some of what the Institute of Public Affairs had to say in response to the decision in our media release, which was picked up by several media outlets including The Australian:
This judgement is a devastating blow against mainstream Australians, against freedom of speech and against freedom of speech on climate change. Alarmingly, this decision shows that contractual provisions guaranteeing intellectual freedom do not protect academics against censorship by university administrators. The time has come for the Morrison government to intervene.
James Cook University has engaged some of the most expensive legal representation in the country to stifle the free speech of one of its own staff, despite crying poor about university funding in the wake of coronavirus. It sends a massive chilling effect to any academic engaging in public debate in Australia.
James Cook University’s shameful actions prove without doubt there is a crisis of free speech at Australian universities. Many academics are censured, but few are prepared to speak out and risk their career, faced with the prospect of legal battles and possible bankruptcy.
A more detailed report is in the Australian newspaper.
(Peter Ridd was Professor of Physics at JC University in Australia)
Gideon Rozner
Director of Policy
Institute of Public Affairs
Melbourne Australia.
