While the review was called in response to the heightened concerns,Mr French concluded that a series of reported incidents"do not establish a systemic pattern of action by higher education providers or student representative bodies,adverse to freedom of speech or intellectual inquiry in the higher education sector".
He said the review was"instigated in part because of a perception"by some in government and the community of an increasingly restrictive approach on university campuses.
"That perception has developed as a response to a relatively small number of high profile cases which have attracted publicity,"he said,noting concerns about visiting speakers being disrupted by protestors and about international trends.
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Mr French's model code,backed by Education Minister Dan Tehan,sets out principles that would apply to cases where free speech or academic freedom are threatened.
The code would"ensure that the freedom of lawful speech of staff and students of the university and visitors to the university is treated as a paramount value and therefore is not restricted nor its exercise unnecessarily burdened".
It would also affirm the academic autonomy of universities and highlight academic freedom as a"defining value",guaranteeing the rights of staff and students to engage in free-flowing inquiry,commentary and discussion and enjoy freedom of association.