MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 14 June 2024
- Intimidation and harassment by Australian universities’ leadership teams must cease
- IPAN denounces the recent expulsion of a student by the Australian National University
- All citizens, including students, have an unequivocal right of freedom of speech and freedom of association
- Universities should be places to advance the development of humanity. They should not be used to facilitate militarism and war.
The independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) denounces the recent expulsion of a student by the Australian National University.
“Students, like all citizens, have an unequivocal right of freedom of speech and freedom of association. Any form of punishment arising from such expression of opinion can never justified” stated IPAN Spokesperson and Academic, Dr Michael Walker.
The students involved in recent protest actions’ recognise the plight of the Palestine people and have demonstrated this in the encampments which have taken place in several universities throughout the nation.
“University students have further exposed the deep involvement of our institutions of higher learning with military equipment manufacturers receiving grants, undertaking research and various other forms of collaboration including investments” stated Dr Walker.
“Universities should be places to advance the development of humanity instead of being used to facilitate its destruction or being involved in the dominance of nations.”
“IPAN is of the view that universities should operate independently and have no connections with and not be influenced in any way by the military complex,” said Dr Walker.
As active stakeholders, fee-paying students have every right to seek disclosure and termination of their universities’ unconscionable harmful ties with these companies.
Taxpaying citizens are also very concerned that our universities, which form a pivotal component of our educational system, are being encroached upon by arms companies whose business model relies on a world at war in order to thrive.
“Universities as centres of learning and thought leadership should be offering opportunities for debate on critical issues in order for students to gain clarity and determine for themselves the stand they wish to take”, stated Dr Walker.
“Suspension and expulsion of students by universities are forms of suppression which would go contrary to the ideals of learning and thought advancement”, stated Dr Walker.
IPAN stands together with the students who have shown much courage of conviction and call on all universities to
- Be transparent in their dealings with the military industrial complex
- Disconnect their association with such players from the military industrial complex
- Cease any acts of harassment against students who have been legitimately protesting
- Ensure the provision of an avenue for rational debate and freedom of expression
Note: IPAN comprises individual members and a network of around 50 organisations www.ipan.org.au
For Media Interviews: Dr Michael Walker M: 0439 584 221
Media Liaison: Jonathan Pilbrow M: 0403 611 815
Bio: Dr Michael Walker is Social Justice Facilitator at the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney and a sessional lecturer at Australian Catholic University where he teaches Justice and Change in a Global World. Dr Walker is a member of IPAN’s Coordinating Committee.