In a senate inquiry report tabled this afternoon, calls by Australia’s Antisemitism Envoy for a judicial inquiry into campus antisemitism have disappointingly been rejected by government senators.
Shadow Minister for Education, Sarah Henderson, and Senator Paul Scarr have raised serious concerns about the failure to listen to Jillian Segal AO, the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism recently appointed by the Albanese government.
In the Coalition’s dissenting report into the Commission of Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities Bill 2024 (No 2), Senator Henderson said the case to establish a judicial inquiry was overwhelming.
“Given Labor’s failure of leadership on campus antisemitism, the Prime Minister must start listening to his Antisemitism Envoy and major Jewish organisations which strongly support a judicial inquiry,” Senator Henderson said.
“Jewish students should not be forced to choose between their education and their safety.”
“Instead of tackling this antisemitism crisis with moral clarity and courage, Education Minister Jason Clare has been missing in action, allowing hate and division to fester.
In their report, Coalition senators also recommended:
• best-practice antisemitism policies and procedures for universities including fines for non-compliance;
• antisemitism training for university leaders;
• disclosure of all university revenues including agreements with foreign entities;
• the adoption of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism; and
• the proposed independent student ombudsman be supported by an antisemitism expert.
“With the anniversary of the October 7 massacre just days away, the Australian Jewish community is grappling with the ugly spread of antisemitism across all corners of the country. That is why urgent action on campus antisemitism, including financial penalties for universities which fail to comply with student safety policies, is crucial,” Senator Henderson said.
“The proposal by the government-controlled committee for another parliamentary inquiry, without the powers, resources and expertise of a judicial inquiry, is inadequate.
“Similarly, after the distress and harm suffered by Jewish students and staff for almost a year, any suggestion universities should be responsible for reviewing their own policies is untenable.”
The Coalition’s dissenting report can be found on page 59 of the Senate inquiry report, here.