Key Points
- Dr Tim Anderson worked at the University of Sydney from February 1988 until he was dismissed in February 2019.
- When he left, he was a senior lecturer in the Department of Political Economy.
A controversial Sydney academic who imposed the swastika over an Israeli flag did so under intellectual freedom and could not be fired as a result, a judge has said.
Dr Tim Anderson worked at the University of Sydney from February 1988 until he was dismissed in February 2019. When he left, he was a senior lecturer in the Department of Political Economy.
During his time at the university, he made several statements, including that a News Corp journalist was a "traitor" because of a story on the Armenian genocide and that United States Senator John McCain was a "key US war criminal".
He also said News had spread "deceitful war propaganda" supporting what he called a terrorist war in Syria and superimposed a swastika over an Israeli flag in a slideshow presentation about media coverage of the Palestine conflict.
Dr Anderson was part of a delegation that travelled to Syria in 2013, meeting with government and non-government figures, including President Dr Bashar al-Assad.
In response to his statements, the University of Sydney issued two separate warnings to Dr Anderson in August 2017 and October 2018 before dismissing him in February 2019.
Backed by the National Tertiary Education Union, he initiated Federal Court proceedings against his former employer two months later.
After initially losing the lawsuit in November 2020, Dr Anderson launched a successful appeal.
The Full Court found academics at the institution were allowed to express even "deeply offensive and insensitive" views under the banner of intellectual freedom as long as they did not harass, vilify or intimidate anyone.
The case was then sent back to Justice Tom Thawley, who, on Thursday, found Dr Anderson's comments were made under the protections of intellectual freedom and that the terms of his employment contract meant he could not be fired for them.
Warnings made over the statements were a breach of contract, as was the university's decision to dismiss him, the judge found.
Professor Stephen Garton, who was deputy vice-chancellor while Dr Anderson worked at the University of Sydney, also breached employment law by issuing the warnings, Justice Thawley said.
An NTEU spokesperson said there had been a long wait for justice and called the decision a "win for academic freedom" and the workplace contract enshrining this principle.
"This case was never about what Dr Anderson said," the spokesperson told AAP.
"We don't always agree with our members, but we will defend their right to academic freedom - a cornerstone of universities."
In a statement, the University of Sydney said it was "disappointed" by the decision.
"We note that we previously succeeded in having all other aspects of the proceedings dismissed. We will now take time to review the decision and consider our response and next steps. We won't make further comment on this matter at the current time."
A spokesperson said the university remained deeply committed to the expression and protection of intellectual freedom, which should be exercised responsibly and to the highest ethical, professional and legal standards.
"We also believe that civility and respect should be particularly valued when people disagree with each other," they said.
Dr Anderson has been approached for comment.
