Labor MP Josh Burns, pictured here with a Human Rights report, chaired the parliamentary inquiry into antisemitism on university campuses. Photo: Facebook.
Two in three Jewish students experience antisemitism on Australian university campuses, according to a newly tabled parliamentary report.
The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights also found one-quarter of Jewish uni students in Australia were avoiding campuses altogether while they studied because of the racism targeted at them.
Committee chair, Labor MP Josh Burns, has called for urgent reform in light of the inquiry’s findings.
He has also recommended a judicial inquiry if improvements are not evident soon.
“So far, we’ve seen a range of responses from universities; some have been pretty good, but on too many occasions university vice-chancellors and leadership have ignored the calls of Jewish students and ignored the calls of Jewish staff,” Mr Burns said.
“They’ve ignored incidents of clear antisemitism on campus and that is why we had to have this inquiry.”
The committee has considered more than 600 submissions since the inquiry began last October.
Mr Burns, who is Jewish, said the committee’s report provided “tools and direction” to help universities address the problem.
The inquiry tabled 10 recommendations for universities to consider before the first semester of 2025 begins.
It recommends:
- University vice chancellors hold a formal meeting with Jewish student bodies and Jewish staff during semester one of 2025 to engage directly on their observations regarding antisemitism on their campuses;
- Australian universities review their complaints procedures with a view to their simplification;
- Australian universities report on the outcome of complaints in a more transparent manner while maintaining the privacy of the complaints process;
- The government considers whether it is necessary to amend the Fair Work Act 2009 to enable disciplinary or other action to be taken in relation to an employee;
- Australian universities publish regular de-identified reports setting out the number of complaints received, the nature of the complaints, the number of complaints resolved since the last report and the timeframe for the resolution of outstanding complaints;
- Universities consider increased investment in research into antisemitism and opportunities for collaboration regarding current projects;
- Universities deliver ongoing training to students, staff and leadership on recognising and addressing antisemitism;
- The government considers amending the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 to provide TEQSA with enhanced powers to enforce compliance with the higher education threshold standards relating to student wellbeing and safety;
- Government monitors the implementation of these recommendations and further recommends the National Student Ombudsman reviews university practices to reduce antisemitism on campuses within 12 months of the tabling of this report; and
- If, following a review of the implementation of these recommendations in consultation with the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, it is apparent the response by universities has been insufficient, the government considers establishing a judicial inquiry.
Mr Burns said universities had allowed a “toxic environment” to fester on their campuses, resulting in an “alarming and abhorrent rise” in antisemitism among students and staff.
He said significant reform was needed for Jewish students to feel safe on uni campuses.
“They shouldn’t be scared that if something does happen to them, that the universities won’t take it seriously,” he said.
A national survey commissioned by peak Jewish bodies revealed in August 2023 a concerning rate of antisemitism at Australian university campuses.
Mr Burns said after Hamas’s attack on Israel in October that year and Israel’s subsequent retaliatory assault on Gaza, “it has only gotten worse” for Jewish students.
However, the definition of antisemitism is being challenged by international civil rights groups who insist people should be free to criticise the actions of the Israeli government without it being labelled as antisemitic.
The Jewish people and the Israeli government are separate and distinct from each other, they argue.
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