Education Minister Alan Tudge says shutting down debate and other recent trends on university campuses would have left former prime minister Robert Menzies “aghast”.

He made the remarks at the opening of the Robert Menzies Institute, a new library and museum commemorating Australia’s longest-serving prime minister, at the University of Melbourne on Thursday.

The institute’s opening was not without controversy, amid a student protest against the Liberal Party’s alleged attempt to “buy a space of influence” on campus.

Political leaders including Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg also commended Menzies’ belief in the contest of ideas with speeches at the institute’s inaugural conference and gala on Thursday.

Mr Tudge said Menzies “knew universities had to be ­spaces for argument … They must be custodians for mental liberty and unfettered search for truth. I frankly think he would be aghast at many of the recent trends on university campuses, of de-platforming, hostility to contrary views, shutting down debates.

“It is absolutely contrary to his political philosophy, and certainly it is contrary to mine.”

The Prime Minister said Menzies’ vision “is still relevant today. In the life of every country there are a handful of men and women who through their character and perseverance, their intellect and their values, can change the future of a country. Robert Menzies changed the course of Australia.

“Menzies built the future, ANZUS, he encouraged widespread home ownership, the rejection of sectarian religious divisions and anti-Semitism,” he said.

The Treasurer officially opened the Robert Menzies Institute at a gala dinner at the Grand Hyatt, which was attended by former Victorian premier Ted Baillieu and former federal treasurer Peter Costello.

High court judge James Edelman presented a short history of Menzies’ early career in Victoria’s courts after he was admitted to the bar at 23.

“Menzies’ very early years saw him appear many times at the County Court of Victoria, but it wasn’t long before his appearances were heavily sought after in cases before the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia,” he said.

Robert Menzies Institute chief executive Georgina Downer welcomed a planned student protest against the opening of the centre.

“We, of course, welcome (the protest) in the spirit of free speech. It wouldn’t be a university campus if it didn’t have a student protest,” she said.

A group of about 50 students chanting “no cuts, no fees, no corporate universities” was closely monitored by six police officers on Thursday.

Rally chair Monica Sestito said she was protesting against “Liberal Party encroachment on campus” but conference attendee and Monash graduate Lucy Heath said she did not have an issue with political parties on campus so long as they declared their leaning.

Originally published in The Australian, 19 November 2021.