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<TITLE>query: academic freedom?</TITLE>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>Hello list,<BR>
<BR>
What is the opinion/position of other academics on the recent events at the University of Melbourne, and the related public debate on academic freedom? (articles pasted below)<BR>
<BR>
What is the role of the academic in Australian society today?<BR>
<BR>
Are there historical precedents in Australia of this sort that might provide some insight?<BR>
<BR>
thank you.<BR>
<BR>
Letters (in the opinions section) in Age newspaper May 21, 2008 begin with this:<BR>
<BR>
'WHEN academic freedom — a fundamental principle of democracy — is compromised by a Labor government, it is time for all thinking Australians to be afraid ("Melb Uni demotes transport dissident", The Age, 20/5). I am no longer surprised by the arrogance and haughtiness of this Brumby Government, but I am stunned and outraged at the steps taken by a craven Melbourne University administration in demoting outspoken public transport advocate Paul Mees [...].'<BR>
<A HREF="http://www.theage.com.au/news/letters/this-craven-move-should-frighten-us/2008/05/20/1211182799831.html">http://www.theage.com.au/news/letters/this-craven-move-should-frighten-us/2008/05/20/1211182799831.html</A><BR>
<BR>
as a response to this item:<BR>
<BR>
'MELBOURNE University has demoted one of its most outspoken academics after a complaint against him by the State Government. [ ...]<BR>
<A HREF="http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/melbourne-uni-demotes-transport-dissident/2008/05/19/1211182704265.html">http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/melbourne-uni-demotes-transport-dissident/2008/05/19/1211182704265.html</A><BR>
<BR>
<BR>
and further discussed here:<BR>
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<A HREF="http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/uni-accused-of-hatchet-job-on-lecturer/2008/05/20/1211182801445.html">http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/uni-accused-of-hatchet-job-on-lecturer/2008/05/20/1211182801445.html</A><BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<A HREF="http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/uni-damaged-over-lecturers-demotion/2008/05/20/1211182764879.html">http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/uni-damaged-over-lecturers-demotion/2008/05/20/1211182764879.html</A><BR>
<BR>
<BR>
Dr Felicity Colman<BR>
Lecturer, Screen Studies<BR>
Honours Coordinator, Cinema Program<BR>
School of Culture & Communication<BR>
<A HREF="http://www.culture-communication.unimelb.edu.au">http://www.culture-communication.unimelb.edu.au</A><BR>
The University of Melbourne Victoria 3010 Australia Tel: 61-3-83445565\tFax: 61-3-8344 5563<BR>
fcolman@unimelb.edu.au<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
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