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Academic pressured to edit #LetThemStay tweet

Posted 26 February 2016 by Andrew MacDonald (NTEU National Office)

A manager at Murdoch University has told an academic staff member who tweeted an image of staff and students rallying in support of refugees that their tweet is incompatible with Murdoch’s brand, which cannot be associated with political views.

The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) is appalled that the staff member was asked to edit the Twitter image supporting the compassionate treatment of refugees, particularly as the rally was held on campus.

Describing the manager’s action as outrageous, NTEU WA Division Secretary Gabe Gooding said: “This is symptomatic of a management which seems to have lost its way and which appears to no longer understand the university's pivotal role as critic and conscience of society.”

"It is also extremely disappointing for this to occur in a university that began its life being dedicated to independence and critical thinking and which still lists social justice as one of its key graduate attributes.

"It also demonstrates an alarming ignorance of the basic tenets of academic freedom that are supposed to be central to all universities,” concluded Gooding.

NTEU National President Jeannie Rea queried what Murdoch University’s brand is, if it is not compatible with supporting the humane treatment of refugees and academic freedom.

“Is the Murdoch brand to endorse the denial of refugees’ human rights?” questioned Rea.

“In this instance it would appear to be Murdoch University management which is incompatible with wider community sentiment, as well as other university communities, which have indicated support for refugees.

“In recent weeks NTEU members and students on campuses around the country have participated in #LetThemStay rallies in support of refugees. Staff and students at Murdoch University should be commended for joining them in taking a stand.”

Nearly 2000 academics have now signed a letter to the Prime Minister to urge him to release children from mandatory offshore detention.

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