Massey VC stands by decision

PALMERSTON North: Massey University vicechancellor Jan Thomas is standing firm over her decision to ban former MP and Reserve Bank governor Don Brash from speaking at an event.

Dr Brash was due to speak at an event today as part of a series of political talks at the Manawatu campus, hosted by the university’s Politics Society.

The society had originally met the requirements of hosting an event but alerted the university to threats against security and public safety, which was acted upon.

‘‘The event had been planned through the student association and they had agreed with all the requirements to use our venue so we were quite comfortable with that,’’ Ms Thomas told Newstalk ZB yesterday.

‘‘When they raised their concerns over their ability to meet those terms and conditions as a result of a surge in social media and so on, we then looked at it and made a decision.’’

The decision has added fuel to the free speech debate in New Zealand.

In an earlier statement, the university referred to Dr Brash as the Hobson’s Pledge founder and supporter of controversial Canadian speakers Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux.

Dr Brash is also a member of the Free Speech Coalition, which was formed after a decision was made by Auckland Council to ban the speakers from its venues.

Dr Brash believed Ms Thomas banned him because she did not share his views.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern weighed in on the decision, stating it was an ‘‘overreaction on the part of the university’’.

‘‘There’ll be a number of examples over the years where politicians and expoliticians have gone on to campuses and there has been a bit of a stir around their views and people using their voice to either protest or support,’’ she said.

Dr Brash is scheduled to speak in a debate at the University of Auckland tomorrow. — NZME