Statement from the President and Board of Campion
College in relation to recent media coverage
16 October 2025
First, we reject the premise and conclusions of commentary in the Sydney Morning Herald,
“Far Right Figures Teaching Students at a Sydney College” (October 2) attacking Campion
College based upon the public statements of Drs McInerney and Chavura made in their
personal capacity and not on behalf of the College.
All people, no matter their background, race, or religion are welcome at the College. We
affirm the inherent dignity of every human person, regardless of their race or religion as laid
out in this recent media release from the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference:
https://mediablog.catholic.org.au/australia-welcomes-refugees-and-migrants/
The article in question has taken the comments of Drs McInerney and Chavura out of
context and applied unfair conclusions to them and the College as a whole. We do, however,
unequivocally reject many of the public statements and social media posts of Drs McInerney
and Chavura.
The one thing the article fails to address is freedom of speech. Campion College believes
deeply in academic freedom, freedom of expression and robust debate. A commitment to
freedom of speech is meaningless if it doesn’t extend to people who say unpopular or even,
to some, offensive things.
We also accept this freedom comes with responsibilities, including the possibility to be held
accountable for those statements.
The College is, as stated, in the process of reviewing various matters of which we were
unaware and will continue to engage with all stakeholders. However, at this point there is no
evidence of anything other than the staff treating all students fairly.
Campion College Australia Campion Institute Limited
8-14 Austin Woodbury Pl Toongabbie NSW 2146 PO Box 3052 Toongabbie East NSW 2146
(02) 9896 9300 xxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx www.campion.edu.au
ABN 41 096 681 140 TEQSA PRV12017 CRICOS 02738G