A former High Court chief justice will lead a sweeping inquiry into the health of free speech at Australian universities.

Robert French will investigate whether there are sufficient protections of free expression.

Education Minister Dan Tehan has commissioned the inquiry and tells Ben Fordham protections are “absolutely vital”.

“There’s been concerns by chancellors of universities and other members of the country about freedom of speech on university campuses.

“It’s absolutely vital that we protect freedom of speech on our university campus.

“That’s where our young students go to learn, that’s where they’re taught to think for themselves.

“We have to ensure that as a free society, a free society that believes fundamentally in freedom of speech, that we do all we can.”

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview