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Inquiry into Academic Freedom

Terms of Reference

Senator Fifield, pursuant to notice of motion not objected to as a formal motion, moved business of the Senate notice of motion no. 3—That the following matter be referred to the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Committee for inquiry and report by 11 November 2008:

The current level of academic freedom in school and higher education, with particular reference to:

1. the level of intellectual diversity and the impact of ideological, political and cultural prejudice in the teaching of senior secondary education and of courses at Australian universities, including but not limited to:
   1. the content of curricula,
   2. the content of course materials,
   3. the conduct of teaching professionals, and
   4. the conduct of student assessments;
2. the need for the teaching of senior secondary and university courses to reflect a plurality of views, be accurate, fair, balanced and in context; and
3. ways in which intellectual diversity and contestability of ideas may be promoted and protected, including the concept of a charter of academic freedoms.

For further information, contact:

Committee Secretary
Senate Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Committee
Department of the Senate
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia

Phone:	+61 2 6277 3521
Fax:	+61 2 6277 5706
Email:	eewr.sen@aph.gov.au

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