OFFICIAL
Campion Institute Limited
Key points
Concern referred after media article
On 8 October 2025, TEQSA logged a concern regarding Campion Institute Limited after a
media article was published by the Sydney Morning Herald titled
The far-right figures
teaching students at a Sydney College.
Request For Information sent to Campion College
On 6 October 2025, Acting Director
sent a request for information
to Dr Paul Morrissey, the Campion College Institute President. This included concerns
that TEQSA currently hold in relation to compliance with Standards 2.3 and 6.1.4 of the
Threshold Standards.
On 14 November 2025, TEQSA held a Teams meeting at the request of Dr Morrissey for
further clarification before Campion provided their response.
On 21 November 2025, Dr Morrissey provided Campion Institute Limited’s response to
TEQSA’s RFI, including action that Campion has currently taken, and some policies
related to the issues raised.
Media
The far-right figures teaching students at a Sydney College, The Sydney Morning
Herald, 1 October 2025
– Reports that Stephen McInerney and Stephen Chavura that teach at Campion promote
white nationalism.
– McInerney, the dean of studies, gave a speech this month saying Australia must one
day form new political parties dedicated to the interests of “our people”, meaning white
Australians. McInerney has also argued the White Australia Policy did not go far
enough and that white Australians may need to live in separate neighbourhoods as a
form of “tactical retreat”
– Chavura, a senior lecturer in history, has launched an all-male club to celebrate Anglo-
Celtic culture and deter “leftist thugs” from interfering with “pro-Australia” rallies
Academics who say they are ‘pro-white’ and have ‘ethnic conception’ of Australia
turn spotlight on Sydney’s Campion College, The Guardian, 23 November 2025
– Reports that higher education regulator investigates Catholic institute after comments
by academics, including endorsing the White Australia policy.
– The federal education minister, the Hon Jason Clare, said TEQSA was “undertaking a
compliance process” with Campion College in relation to a number of comments made
by Stephen McInerney, a dean of studies, and Associate Professor Stephen Chavura,
a senior lecturer.
– The college president, Paul Morrisey, did not respond to a request for comment,
including the outcome of the investigation, but earlier told the Herald the comments by
Chavura and McInerney referred to in its reporting had been made in a personal
capacity and there was no evidence either had treated students unfairly.
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Background
The Higher Education Standards Framework (HES Framework) has specific standards
relating to freedom of speech and academic freedom, and student wellbeing and safety.
In December 2021 amendments were made to standard 6.1.4, to require higher
education providers’ governing bodies to take steps to develop and maintain an
institutional environment in which freedom of speech and academic freedom are upheld
and protected.
These changes were made as part of the Government’s response to the
Report of the
Independent Review of Freedom of Speech in Australian Higher Education Providers (the
French Review), published in March 2019.
In October 2023 the Minister for Education, the Hon Jason Clare wrote to all Vice-
Chancellors asking about the measures providers have in place to ensure antisemitism,
Islamophobia and other forms of racism, harassment, discrimination, or intimidation, do
not threaten the wellbeing and safety of students and staff.
TEQSA guidance
Guidance on freedom of speech and academic freedom is included in TEQSA’s
Academic Leadership guidance note, which highlights that under the HES Framework a
provider’s governing body is expected to protect and uphold freedom of speech and
academic freedom.
TEQSA is currently in the process of reviewing and updating all of our guidance notes.
The 2021 amendments to the HES Framework relating to freedom of speech and
academic freedom are included in the revised guidance.
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