Education Amendment Act 1990  
Provisions Relating to Tertiary Education and Training 
36: Establishment and disestablishment of tertiary institutions 

"PART XIV
ESTABLISHMENT AND DISESTABLISHMENT OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

160. Object---The object of the provisions of this Act relating to institutions is to give them as much independence and freedom to make academic, operational, and management decisions as is consistent with the nature of the services they provide, the efficient use of national resources, the national interest, and the demands of accountability.

161. Academic freedom

(1) It is declared to be the intention of Parliament in enacting the provisions of this Act relating to institutions that academic freedom and the autonomy of institutions are to be preserved and enhanced.

(2) For the purposes of this section, `academic freedom', in relation to an institution, means---
(a) The freedom of academic staff and students, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, to put forward new ideas and to state controversial or unpopular opinions:
(b) The freedom of academic staff and students to engage in research:
(c) The freedom of the institution and its staff to regulate the subject-matter of courses taught at the institution:
(d) The freedom of the institution and its staff to teach and assess students in the manner they consider best promotes learning:
(e) The freedom of the institution through its chief executive to appoint its own staff."