RSA Daily

For atheists, rationalists and secular humanists in Australia

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Good morning ,

Holly Lawford-Smith is a Melbourne Uni feminist philosopher who is being targetted at campus by a concerted campaign organised by 'trans activists'. They seem to be taking their cue from a campaign against another feminist philosopher, Kathleen Stock, who was ultimately hounded out of Sussex University in the UK. As a former member of Melbourne University Council, I do hope Melbourne University has more fortitude defending academic freedom.

Lead stories

A very sound analysis of the ethics of freedom of speech and academic freedom (they're not the same thing!), student rights and scholars' rights, and the obligation of universities to protect both students and scholars from bullying and intimidation.

This article contains a link to an excellent summary of the law and state of research into gender dysphoria in Australia and elsewhere. Required reading for anyone concerned about the hysteria about this topic and how a semblance of reason might eventually be recovered.

The new(ish) Labor govt squibs on reinforcing the secular nature of its public schools, despite a previous govt recommending public education should be ‘Compulsory and free of tuition costs’; ‘Universal’; and ‘Secular’. What is it about these craven Labor govt's? If you're a South Australian, please write to ... or, better, call ... your local MP and your local MLC and complain!

Other stories of interest

Calvary Hospital vows legal challenge

Well, this will be interesting. Setting up a clash between Sydney's Catholic archbishop and the PM.. Let's see if Albo has the fortitude to prevail.

PwC narrowly dodged criminal probe five years earlier

But will the guilty actually be held to account?

Got a comment on any of these stories? 

Write to me at president@rationalist.com.au

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