Orr to Steele: crafting dismissal processes in Australian universities

This article investigates the nature of modem dismissal processes in Australian universities, as modified by award and enterprise agreements, so as determine whether dismissal processes afford adequate protection for academics against arbitrary dismissal or other penalty. The rationale for this article is that academic freedom rights are a critical condition for the operation of universities and for the dissemination and discovery of knowledge. If suitable mechanisms covering termination of employment do not protect academic freedom then it is merely an aspiration lost in reality.! Accordingly, proper processes covering termination of employment lie at the very heart of academic freedom protection.