Jun 15, 2026 – 12.01amDomestic students at the University of Melbourne are most likely to report feeling unable to freely express their views on campus, according to newly released data, prompting calls for the government to investigate why students feel their freedom of expression is being curtailed.The report by University of Sydney associate professor Salvatore Babones, published by the Menzies Research Centre, drew on data from the government’s 2024 student experience survey which asked all students whether they felt they were “free to express” their views at their university.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles
The universities where students fear speaking out
Domestic students increasingly feel they are not free to express their views on campus, according to a new analysis of government data.
TL;DRAI
University of Melbourne students report highest inability to express views freely, per 2024 government survey data. Constrained campus speech signals talent recruitment risks and governance concerns affecting university culture and tech industry hiring pipelines.
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