Union boss ignored university’s request to change polarising speech
Joe de Bruyn is unapologetic about his controversial speech which decried sparked a mass walkout at a graduation ceremony.
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“We are not in the business of censoring occasional addresses or dictating content to our guest speakers. That would be completely at odds with our values of freedom of expression,” a spokesperson said.
This isn't a censorship issue. Who on earth green-lit a speech regarding abortion and contraceptives for a graduating ceremony? In what world is that considered relevant? Especially in a multi-faith and diverse society like Australia.
Oh it's relevant alright, he is just on the wrong side of both issues.
I think the fact that so many left during the speech, demonstrates that it is is relevant, and most the people there don't want conditions to get worse, just because some religious nut says so.
In what way are these topics relevant to a graduation ceremony?
In the exact same way as talking about anything else that is highly relevant to the life of people starting out on a life of adulthood and responsibility and personal freedom.
I think the topics are relevant to people leaving their very liberal, closed world of university and going out into a world that may not embrace them like they are used to. He very vocally reminded every woman and LGBTQ+ person in the audience that they are about to go into a world where assholes like him are going to be sitting next to them in the office trying to make their lives hell.
That's very true. But also kinda sad.
The university did greenlight this (as they had enough advanced notice of the content to request he make a change, and refused to censor him when he refused). However, the spokesman also said,
We regret that the speech was not more befitting of a graduation ceremony
Which I optimistically take to mean that they didn't find it particularly relevant either.
