The ANU’s women’s department is planning a protest tonight against a speech by sex therapist Bettina Arndt.
The ANU Womens Department feels sex therapist Bettina Arndt expresses some very damaging opinions about women and men. The Department will be holding a peaceful protest before the event – we believe sexist attitudes against women and men are not acceptable
All supporters welcome
This has prompted Liberal Senator Gary Humphries to bravely wade in where angels fear to tread.
Senator Gary Humphries has attacked the ugly display of intolerance planned at the Australian National University today.
“Bettina Arndt might well be saying things unpalatable to some of us, but opposing the hearing of her views today in Canberra is an insult to free speech,” he said.
“People who oppose Arndt’s ideas would do well to stop trying to shut down her lecture and engage with the ideas she brings to public debate.
“The business of universities in liberal democracies is to contest ideas unhindered. To deny ideas a platform because you disagree with them is complete anathema to the principles of an open society.
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“Though I may not necessarily agree with Ms Arndt’s arguments, I condemn those who wish to deny Ms Arndt a presence at the ANU today.”