Postgraduate students applaud Federal Court decision

CAPA President, Leisa Ridges, praised today's Federal Court decision to dismiss the University of Wollongong's appeal in the Ted Steele affair.

"Postgraduate students around Australia are delighted to see this rejection of the University of Wollongong's stance against academic freedom," commented Ms Ridges.

In the university's haste to deprive Dr Ted Steele of his right to make public comment, the university did not follow proper dismissal procedures.

"The unanimous decision by the full bench of the Federal Court is a powerful message to universities that they cannot disregard their enterprise agreements and sack employees without a hearing," stated Ms Ridges.

"For postgraduate students employed by universities, this is a very welcome message," she added.

"I am just sad that students at the University of Wollongong will effectively miss out on much needed additional resources, such as books and journals for the library, so that the university can pay its legal fees."

The Federal Court has awarded that the University of Wollongong pay the legal costs of the National Tertiary Education Union, as well as its own.

"It is understandable that Wollongong students have lost faith in their Vice-Chancellor after his treatment of Dr Steele, and his use of university funds to defend his actions," said Ms Ridges

The University of Wollongong Student Representative Council (SRC) and the Wollongong University Postgraduate Association (WUPA) have both called for the dismissal of Professor Gerard Sutton as Vice-Chancellor.

"Today's Federal Court decision is a triumph for all Australian academics and postgraduate students," concluded Ms Ridges.