Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy) Share this | Hansard source

The government does not consider that the Greens amendments would broaden the scope of academic staff in relation to academic freedom principles and policies beyond what is already provided for in the bill. The government expects that all universities will adopt and implement the model code and that its principles and definitions will flow down into all other university policies, and this includes the broad definition of academic staff proposed by Mr French, which is that academic staff are 'all those who are employed by the university to teach and/or carry out research and extends to those who provide, whether on an honorary basis or otherwise, teaching services and/or conduct research at the university'.

Universities themselves have committed to adopt the model code. The government is confident that universities understand academic freedom applies to all academic activity, not just to staff who may be narrowly designated as academic staff within an enterprise agreement. The government will not be supporting these amendments.

The CHAIR: The question is that the amendments (1) to (4) on sheet 1127 as moved by Senator Faruqi be agreed to.