Forcing political opinions on students shows extent of decline

Macquarie University claims that coercing law students into “acknowledging” the alleged illegitimacy of Australia is relevant to learning about “Indigenous young people and their relationship with the legal system in Australia” (“ ‘Welcome’ edict risks uni failure”, 17/3). People who know a bit about the long march through the institutions might suspect an ulterior motive.

Imagine that activists wanted to turn a Western country into a Marxist republic. It would be in their interests to brainwash young people into believing their country is an illegitimate entity for whose existence they must continually apologise. They might also teach them that carbon dioxide is a pollutant, and that sinful Westerners are destroying the planet with emissions of it. They could further teach them that all illegal immigrants are refugees, and that anyone who does not support open borders is a heartless racist.

Eventually they might produce a few generations of citizens who spend their lives reciting party slogans and apologising for living in their own country, and who are in no fit psychological state to defend their country or Western civilisation. Anyone who wants more information about how this process works can obtain it by going to YouTube and typing in the name of Soviet defector Yuri Bezmenov and “ideological subversion”.

Judith Loriente, Auchenflower, Qld

On reading Janet Albrechtsen (“Compelled political speech constitutes abuse of authority”, 17/3), words initially failed me. It’s far more insidious than group think; it is an assault on the integrity of students. Students are given no chance of satisfying requirements by expressing the acknowledgement of country as an academic proposition; they must express the “right” words and with reverence.

This needs challenge in a court, but which student would be so courageous? A class action might be in order to prevent failure of a lone complainant.

Leni Palk, Unley, SA

The serious and legitimate consternation and criticism over Macquarie University’s law exam regime will no doubt result in an “inquiry”, and exterior “consultants” may or may not be called. After months, maybe a year, a “finding” may or may not be made publicly available. Whether practical and appropriate action is taken will depend on how much loss of reputation the findings may cause academics, politicians and university bureaucrats.

Meanwhile, students will continue to suffer unnecessarily and the standard of law education will deteriorate. Universities have a governing senate and managing vice-chancellor; they are a federal government responsibility largely funded by the taxpayer; why is it apparently impossible for said responsible authorities to exercise proper control?

Peter M. Wargent, Mosman, NSW

Thanks, Janet Albrechtsen, for belling a wild cat. As a multi-generational Australian on four sides, I’d far rather listen to Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (who has Indigenous and Anglo-Saxon heritage) than yet another parroted welcome to my own country of birth. Any political party that promises to phase out these practices will attract votes. Any university that penalises students for not delivering the prescribed mantra with prescribed vocal nuance should lose funding.

Ruth Bonetti, The Gap, Qld

Some years ago I visited the grave of governor Lachlan Macquarie on the Island of Mull in Scotland. I wonder what he would make of the university today named in his honour and opened in 1964.

Janet Albrechtsen highlights the loss of direction of our education system coupled with the disconnect from academic excellence so sought after by so many bright young minds in the world today.

The corruption of universities to the extent a “welcome to country” becomes a key part of marks for an exam is probably the quintessential point in history where somebody needs to call it out. Will vice-chancellor Bruce Dowton be one of those who will be found wanting in future history books that depict the gradual downfall of Western civilisation for future graduates to study? I believe he and his ilk are a key part of the problem.

Tony Griggs, Palana, Tas

What would happen to a Macquarie law student if they delivered an acknowledgment of country with the same level of sincerity as Lidia Thorpe delivered her swearing-in ceremony in parliament?

Jeffrey Smith, Cannington, WA