A Sydney Catholic College Under Fire Over White Nationalism Comments
Campion College, a small private institution in western Sydney, is facing an investigation by the Higher Education Quality and Standards Agency (Teqsa) over comments made by two of its prominent academics, Stephen McInerney and Associate Prof Stephen Chavura. The pair have been accused of promoting white nationalism and making racist remarks.
McInerney, a dean of studies at Campion College, has described himself as an "Australian nationalist" and has advocated for the White Australia policy, which aims to limit non-European immigration. He has also encouraged supporters of the White Australia party (WAP), a neo-Nazi organization led by Thomas Sewell, and has described European peoples as needing their own homelands.
Chavura, a senior lecturer at Campion College, has been accused of promoting Anglo-Celtic nationalism and calling for white supremacy. He has written on social media that "Anglo-Celtic" people should be the "overwhelming demographic majority" in Australia, an idea he describes as an "ethnic conception of the Australian nation and culture".
The comments have sparked outrage among critics, with the Sydney Morning Herald reporting that Chavura had compared a neo-Nazi rally to a "political speech". The college president, Paul Morrissey, has defended the freedom of speech of its staff members, saying that a commitment to academic freedom is meaningless if it doesn't extend to people who say unpopular or offensive things.
However, the investigation by Teqsa has raised questions about whether Campion College is meeting its obligations under the Higher Education Standards Framework. The chief executive of Teqsa, Mary Russell, said that the agency would consider taking action if there was evidence that the college was not complying with the framework.
The controversy has also sparked a wider debate about racism and white nationalism in Australian universities. Mehreen Faruqi, deputy Greens leader and higher education spokesperson, has condemned the comments as "shocking" and called for an end to public funding for institutions that promote such ideologies.
Campion College's powerful backers have come under scrutiny, with former Liberal minister Zed Seselja and university graduate Joseph de Bruyn facing criticism over their own views on abortion and racism. The college has also received significant government funding, including $10 million in federal funding, which has raised questions about the role of politics in academic institutions.
As the investigation into Campion College continues, it remains to be seen whether the institution will face any consequences for promoting white nationalism and racist ideologies. However, the controversy has highlighted the need for greater scrutiny of universities and their commitments to diversity and inclusion.
Campion College, a small private institution in western Sydney, is facing an investigation by the Higher Education Quality and Standards Agency (Teqsa) over comments made by two of its prominent academics, Stephen McInerney and Associate Prof Stephen Chavura. The pair have been accused of promoting white nationalism and making racist remarks.
McInerney, a dean of studies at Campion College, has described himself as an "Australian nationalist" and has advocated for the White Australia policy, which aims to limit non-European immigration. He has also encouraged supporters of the White Australia party (WAP), a neo-Nazi organization led by Thomas Sewell, and has described European peoples as needing their own homelands.
Chavura, a senior lecturer at Campion College, has been accused of promoting Anglo-Celtic nationalism and calling for white supremacy. He has written on social media that "Anglo-Celtic" people should be the "overwhelming demographic majority" in Australia, an idea he describes as an "ethnic conception of the Australian nation and culture".
The comments have sparked outrage among critics, with the Sydney Morning Herald reporting that Chavura had compared a neo-Nazi rally to a "political speech". The college president, Paul Morrissey, has defended the freedom of speech of its staff members, saying that a commitment to academic freedom is meaningless if it doesn't extend to people who say unpopular or offensive things.
However, the investigation by Teqsa has raised questions about whether Campion College is meeting its obligations under the Higher Education Standards Framework. The chief executive of Teqsa, Mary Russell, said that the agency would consider taking action if there was evidence that the college was not complying with the framework.
The controversy has also sparked a wider debate about racism and white nationalism in Australian universities. Mehreen Faruqi, deputy Greens leader and higher education spokesperson, has condemned the comments as "shocking" and called for an end to public funding for institutions that promote such ideologies.
Campion College's powerful backers have come under scrutiny, with former Liberal minister Zed Seselja and university graduate Joseph de Bruyn facing criticism over their own views on abortion and racism. The college has also received significant government funding, including $10 million in federal funding, which has raised questions about the role of politics in academic institutions.
As the investigation into Campion College continues, it remains to be seen whether the institution will face any consequences for promoting white nationalism and racist ideologies. However, the controversy has highlighted the need for greater scrutiny of universities and their commitments to diversity and inclusion.
! Like, I get it, academic freedom is one thing but come on, not everyone agrees with you just 'cause you're an Aussie nationalist or whatever... 
What's next? Are they gonna start teaching the importance of being a good sport and respecting others' opinions in gym class too? 
It raises some serious questions about how that money affects the curriculum and campus culture. Like, are they gonna start teaching "How to Be a Good White Aussie" instead of actual science and history? 
. It's time for these institutions to step up their game and promote diversity, inclusion, and respect for all... or else! 
this is so sad 
. universities have a duty to promote inclusivity and respect, and this isn't just about Campion College or Australia - it's a global issue that needs addressing 
I think its really concerning when public institutions promote hateful ideologies like white nationalism 
. Campion College's comments have sparked outrage among critics and it's not just about freedom of speech 
, but also about the impact on students and staff from diverse backgrounds 
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i mean, im not saying we shouldn't have freedom of speech, but there's a fine line between expressing an opinion & promoting hate speech. and btw, who needs all this drama when we've got bigger issues to tackle like climate change & inequality in education 
. its NOT okay to normalize racism or white supremacy in any form #NoToRacism #NotMyU #AcademicFreedomMatters
. what's next? will they start recruiting neo-Nazis to their staff? 
. this college needs to be held accountable for its actions, especially since it's receiving millions of dollars in government funding 
.
Campus life is getting more complicated 
the fact that these people have access to government funding is just ridiculous 
. we need to make sure our universities are promoting inclusivity and diversity, not hate speech and white supremacy 
.
gotta keep an eye on government funding 4 institutions like this 
this is seriously concerning, especially with that 10 million dollars in federal funding... how can they just promote hate speech and get away with it?