Ban feeds Auckland debate

Massey University’s ban on Don Brash speaking on its Palmerston North campus has proved a boon for Auckland University.

Double the number of people expected to attend Brash’s Auckland appearance have now registered since Massey axed Brash and ignited a free speech debate.

The controversy has been a marketing gift for the otherwise low-key Auckland function tonight organised by the university’s debating society. The topic, set months ago, just happens to be: ‘‘PC culture has gone too far to the point of limiting freedom of speech’’. Unsurprisingly, Brash will be taking the affirmative.

Massey cited security concerns in cancelling Brash’s speech. The Auckland campus intends to up its security.

Brash said: ‘‘It was organised some months ago, long before the Massey University controversy, long before the Canadian speakers came to New Zealand.

‘‘It doesn’t have anything directly to do with either of those events.’’ Brash said he had no concerns his participation in the debate would cause any backlash.

The Massey decision has been widely condemned as an attack on free speech, uniting even critics of Brash’s politics behind his right to talk.

Axing his speech was labelled an ‘‘over-reaction’’ by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

Brash was pleased to see the condemnation of the Massey vicechancellor’s decision.

Auckland University Debating Society president Chris Ryan said members of the club had a ‘‘robust discussion’’ about Brash’s involvement in light of the Massey University ban but agreed to keep him in the debate.

‘‘We’re really excited to have him involved, he’s a very prominent freedom of speech commentator in the media and has a lot to say about this issue.

‘‘I think [he] will bring an important perspective to the debate alongside the other speakers.’’ Ryan said the timing of the debate in relation to recent events, including controversial Right-wing Canadian speakers Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux coming to New Zealand, was a coincidence.

The debate had been planned for some time and the topic was chosen as the society wanted its debates to be about ‘‘the big ideas in New Zealand society’’.

‘‘We thought freedom of speech was one of those big issues,’’ Ryan said.

The debate society expected 200 attendees but numbers had risen to 450 as of yesterday morning.

‘‘PC culture has gone too far to the point of limiting freedom of speech.’’ The topic of the Auckland debate