Auckland, Aug 07, 2018 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Massey University Vice-Chancellor Jan Thomas should resign over her decision to cancel a talk by Dr Don Brash scheduled for tomorrow, says Democracy Action.

Democracy Action co-founder Lee Short says, “It should always be possible to debate Treaty of Waitangi issues on our university campuses – including whether it is justified to introduce Maori wards into local government. Based on the comments made by Jan Thomas today, Massey University would restrict the speech rights of anyone who publicly believes in equality of citizenship, a view that she says comes ‘dangerously close to hate speech’.”

“Professor Thomas has clearly abandoned the principles that underpin higher learning: open dialogue and the free exchange of ideas. She should resign from her position as Vice Chancellor.”

ENDS