Suspension of Roz Ward by La Trobe University is an attack on personal political freedom

The National Union of Students (NUS) condemns actions taken by La Trobe University management to suspend Roz Ward, a co-founder and coordinator of the Safe Schools program.

This suspension has come after concerted political attacks on Roz Ward and the Safe Schools program she was involved in setting up by senior political figures in the Liberal party. As the most public advocate of the Safe Schools program, Roz Ward and her personal political views have come under attack in an attempt to discredit the program.

“Students believe it is completely unfair for someone to lose their job over personal political views posted on a private Facebook feed that aren’t discriminatory or bigoted” said NUS President Sinead Colee

The National Union of Students has come out defending Roz Ward and strongly encouraging La Trobe University to reconsider Roz’s suspension.

“La Trobe University has long seen itself as the home of radical and new ideas. If Roz loses her job over this, we will see that image shattered.” said NUS President Sinead Colee.

“Right-wing forces of the Liberal party can publicly slander the Safe Schools Program as ‘paedophile child grooming’ with no recourse, but Roz Ward’s privately expressed opinions are fair game to drive another nail into Safe Schools” added NUS President Sinead Colee.

The National Union of Students is calling on John Dewar and La Trobe University to reverse their unjust suspension of Roz Ward.
Sinead Colee National President – National Union of Students