Executive Officer of NSW Right to Life, Adrian Middeldorp reiterated claims the newspaper’s Higher Education section also said moves are afoot to ban the LCS and future prolife groups, effectively silencing free speech.
“It’s absurd, issues like euthanasia and abortion are discussed rationally in the media, social networks and school everyday,” Mr Middeldorp said.
“Students begin discussing these issues at school, it is only normal they would want to discuss them at a university level. The actions of a small, yet vocal minority to shout down and push LifeChoices underground resemble similar tactics seen by other extreme political forces. What will be next? Universities should be the hub of freedom of speech.”
“It is also a concern that resource-rich GetUp! are attempting to use their muscle to silence a small group of friendly students trying to foster free speech through open discussion. That’s why we at NSW Right to Life are speaking up, we have no affiliation with LifeChoices Sydney. However, we are concerned with GetUp!’s involvement. Is there any issue in Australia that GetUp! won’t try to silence opposition to their opinions?”
Mr Middeldorp said NSW Right to Life is one of Australia’s longest running pro-life human rights organisations and has a large membership comprising of more than 50 per cent women. He said it is a shame groups that promote discussion of issues like abortion and euthanasia may be banned at the University of Sydney.
He thought the opposition was bizarre since, LCS has been approved by the University of Sydney Union and furthermore LCS President is Rebecca Elias – a woman.
NSW Right to Life also congratulates USU president, Ms Matthews for taking an even handed approach to this issue.
“Whatever Ms Matthews personal views may be, she sees that a group dedicated to discussing these issues would indeed enrich university life and we support that,” Mr Middeldorp said.
