Maria O'Sullivan

Join senior writer Michael Bachelard, who witnessed the anti-immigration rallies in Melbourne, and Maria O’Sullivan, an Associate Professor specializing in protest law, as they dissect the alarming rise of neo-Nazi groups in Australia. They explore why these protests erupted now and the intricate balance between free speech and hate speech laws. Bachelard and O’Sullivan also discuss the troubling involvement of politicians in these events and the implications for social harmony and human rights in contemporary Australia.

Maria O'Sullivan, an Associate Professor at Deakin Law School with expertise in human rights law, dives deep into the ethical and legal boundaries of protests at Australian universities. She explores the distinct nature of these protests compared to those in the U.S., discussing emotional motivations and the challenges of aligning student demands with university policies. O'Sullivan emphasizes the complexity of protest language, the moral dilemmas faced, and the necessary tension in balancing free expression with safety in today’s politically charged environment.