NSW Council for Civil Liberties has expressed strong opposition to the new Campus Access Policy, with President Lydia Shelly calling for its "immediate reversal." In a statement, Shelly described the policy as "an affront to the democratic principles universities should be fostering – not banning."

The policy mandates that all demonstrations must notify the university at least 72 hours in advance. It outlines "unacceptable activities," including protests without prior notice, and categorizes certain actions, such as using megaphones and amplifiers or hanging banners from University buildings, as "activities that require approval."

Violations of these restrictions may lead to protesters being removed from campus, having property confiscated, or being detained by campus security and handed over to NSW Police.

“Student protests on campus have a long history and occur in the spirit of academic freedom and the free flow of ideas in educational institutions,” Shelly said, highlighting a long history that puts students “firmly on the right side of history.”

“Protest as an expression of free speech should be welcomed on university campuses as one of the hallmarks of flourishing intellectual communities,” she said.

In relation to the powers to remove protesters, Shelly criticised the policy as “excessive” and “disproportionate,” as well as “giving excessive discretion to protective services and the Vice Chancellor.”

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