Statement
1 March 2025
As an affiliate, the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) affirms its support for the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) statement “Standing against the growing influence of fascism and far-right ideologies”.
The ACTU, as the peak body representing Australian unions, and its affiliates stand united as workers in our commitment to uphold the principles of equality, justice, and solidarity. Considering recent national and global events, where fascist and far-right ideologies promoting bigotry and hatred are on the rise, we acknowledge the urgent need to reaffirm our dedication to combating these destructive and divisive forces. History tells us we ignore it at our peril.
We unequivocally condemn all forms of fascism, intolerance, bigotry, and hatred.
This includes but is not limited to racism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, sexism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and any other form of discrimination, extremism, or prejudice. Hatred divides workers, it divides our communities and our workplaces. Solidarity and the union movement are the hope of the workers.
We commit to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment within our union movement and our workplaces. We will actively promote policies and practices that support the inclusion of all individuals, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or any other characteristic.
By adopting this motion, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to standing against fascism, bigotry, and hatred in all its forms. We call on all workers to unite in this vital struggle for a just and equitable world.
Defending Public Education, Academic Freedom, and Research Independence
Further, the NTEU is deeply alarmed by the escalating attacks on public education and academic freedom in the United States and the increasing trend of governments seeking to restrict or politically control research, teaching, and open intellectual inquiry. The rise of censorship, ideological interference, and the defunding of critical research areas threatens not just universities but the very foundation of a democratic and informed society.
The NTEU notes with concern recent reports of ministerial and Parliamentary interference in the independent operations of the Australian Research Council (ARC), the statutory agency responsible for funding research excellence in Australian universities. Its independence is critical to ensuring that research funding decisions are made on the basis of academic merit and societal benefit rather than political ideology or short-term interests.
The NTEU reaffirms its commitment to ARC independence and academic freedom as central to maintaining the integrity of Australia’s higher education and research sectors. Political interference in research undermines public trust, stifles innovation, and weakens the nation’s ability to respond to complex social, economic, and environmental challenges.
We stand in solidarity with all higher education workers who are increasingly coming under attack from fascist, far-right, and authoritarian governments. The struggle for free and open scholarship is inseparable from the broader fight against reactionary forces that seek to control knowledge and limit democratic debate.