Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus orders inquiry into anti-Semitism at Australian universities

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has announced that the rise in anti-Jewish racism at Australian universities will be investigated by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights.

A Senate committee recommended the investigation after receiving hundreds of submissions from Jewish students and staff outlining a growing wave of anti-Semitism on campus following Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel on October 7 last year and the resulting conflict in the Middle East.

The research will take into account the prevalence, nature and experiences of antisemitism in universities, including frameworks and policies to prevent and respond to it and support for students and staff, the government said.

Mr. Dreyfus, who is Jewish himself, said many students and staff had told him that they no longer felt welcome on college campuses and that the institutions did not care about them.

“This is an intolerable situation and urgent action is needed to address tensions on university campuses and protect the safety of students and staff,” he said.

“The Albanian government wants to ensure that we deal effectively with this disturbing situation.”

The committee has been asked to report to Parliament by March 31, 2025.

But Liberal senator and shadow education minister Sarah Henderson said the move did not go far enough and wanted an inquiry with powers akin to a Royal Commission to look into the issue.

“The Albanian government’s decision to refer the anti-Semitism crisis at Australian universities to a parliamentary committee is shockingly inadequate,” she told NewsWire.

“This is not only a gross insult to Jewish Australians, but blatantly ignores the recommendations of Jillian Segal, the government’s own anti-Semitism envoy, that there should be a judicial inquiry.

“Since October 7, 2023, Labor has repeatedly failed to take the necessary action to combat antisemitism on campus.

‘That is why so many Jewish students and employees no longer feel safe at the university.’

Tensions escalated at several universities following the emergence of pro-Palestinian encampments on campus.

In May this year, Victoria Police set up a new mobile surveillance unit at Melbourne’s Monash University after hardline pro-Palestinian protesters appeared to prevent students from walking freely on campus this week.

Video taken by a Monash student revealed heated, expletive-laden exchanges with protesters.

In one exchange, the students ask protesters in the camp, “Is it okay if I walk through?”

One protester replies in an American accent: “No, you can’t walk through it.”

Attorney General Mark Dreyfus announced the new investigation into anti-Semitism at universities on Tuesday

When the student asks why he is not allowed to walk through his own university, the protester says: “Because you are a Zionist and you are instigating us and you should get the hell out.”

University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor Mark Scott admitted to the Senate that he had ‘failed’ Jewish students.

“I have read the complaints made to the university, and all the complaints made to this investigation, and to the special envoy, and the testimonies are heartbreaking and unacceptable and for that I am sorry,” he said.

‘No one should feel in danger, unsafe or unwelcome in any place.

“And no one should feel the need to hide their identity or stay away from classrooms or campuses.”