In a recent interview, Professor Zlatko Skrbis, the Vice Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University (ACU), confirmed that the university was aware of the controversial content of Joe de Bruyn’s graduation address prior to the ceremony. The speech, which took place on October 21, 2024, provoked significant backlash as De Bruyn denounced abortion and same-sex marriage, drawing comparisons that some deemed inappropriate.
“We strongly encouraged Mr. De Bruyn to reconsider his remarks,” Professor Skrbis noted, pointing out that the university permitted the address despite having reservations. Despite the encouragement, the speech went ahead, leading to a walkout by some attendees.
In response to the unrest caused by De Bruyn’s address, the ACU has announced plans to reimburse all graduation ceremony attendees. “We recognize that this was an unsatisfactory experience for many,” the university stated, adding that refunds would be processed automatically in the days to come. The university has also made arrangements for face-to-face therapy and group counseling sessions to support staff and students affected by the speech.
“We want to emphasize that while we do not censor our speakers, we acknowledge the distress and offense caused by the content of Mr. De Bruyn’s address,” Skrbis explained in a message to staff. He further clarified that while the university values freedom of expression and academic inquiry, they had hoped for a speech that would better reflect the achievements and aspirations of the graduating students.
De Bruyn defended his choice of topics in an interview with Guardian Australia, arguing that discussing contentious issues was logical given the context of being honored by a Catholic institution. He identified abortion as a “catastrophic issue” that warranted public discourse.
Student advocacy groups within the university expressed discontent over the decision to allow De Bruyn to speak. In a joint statement, organizations including the St Patrick’s Student Association and the ACU LGBTIQ+ Staff Ally Network voiced concerns that the address transformed the graduation ceremony into a “harmful space.”
“We believe the university should have anticipated the potential for distress and taken action to prevent it. Reports indicate that counseling services were organized in advance, which raises questions as to why such a speech was allowed to proceed in the first place,” their statement read.
Further complicating the situation, the National Tertiary Education Union’s ACU branch condemned the decision to award de Bruyn an honorary degree, calling it a “disturbing trend” following previous management decisions that limited expressions of support for LGBTIQ+ rights on campus.
Professor Skrbis expressed regret for any harm caused, reasserting the university’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment while navigating the complexities of diverse viewpoints.
