'Huge focus' on universities as PM unveils plan to tackle anti-Semitism

The Advertiser

2 days ago

Universities could be stripped of government funding if they fail to combat anti-Semitism from staff or students, as part of a proposal unveiled by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday.
"There are Jewish students who have been attacked, vilified, abused, because of their identification ... by a perpetrator for being Jewish," Mr Albanese told reporters in Sydney. "That has no place in Australia."
A 20-page report by Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Jillian Segal, released on Thursday, recommends a "report card" system whereby universities could be ranked and scored on how well they combat anti-Semitism - with Commonwealth funding to be withdrawn if they do not meet standards.
The plan aims to address Australia's rising anti-Semitism since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, including on university campuses where pro-Palestinian protesters have clashed with Jewish students.
Ms Segal said universities, which she has previously accused of being "in denial" about anti-Semitism, would be "a huge focus" as she worked with the government to tackle the issue and that they would be "expected to uphold consistent standards and demonstrate accountability".
"We cannot hope to really abolish anti-Semitism, but we can push it to the margins of society. It must not be considered acceptable," she said.
"Education is central. It shapes not only what young Australians know, but how they think and how they treat others."
READ MORE:
The report said universities "must ensure they adopt a definition of anti-Semitism that is effective in addressing anti-Semitism on campus practically, including being integrated into codes of conduct," the plan says. "They must also report transparently on complaints and disciplinary actions."
It said universities "must embrace cultural change to end their tolerance for anti-Semitic conduct".
Australian National University vice-chancellor Genevieve Bell has repeatedly defended the university's handling of anti-Semitism on campus, including after it investigated alleged anti-Semitic gestures during a student meeting and found "that did not, in fact, happen".
She told a Senate estimates hearing last year that "academic freedom and freedom of speech are not absolute" and that protesters chanting "antifada" and "from the river to the sea" had been told to stop.
Jewish students at the ANU have told this masthead they felt abandoned by the university.
Mr Albanese also put arts bodies on notice that they could lose funding over anti-Semitic creative works and said social media platforms would be a focus.
"I think there is an impact of social media where algorithms work to reinforce people's views," Mr Albanese said when asked if Australians were becoming more intolerant of each other's views.
"That's the way that algorithms work; they push people towards extremes ... Australia wants a country that's in the centre."
The report also recommended that border force officials be trained to spot and deport anti-Semites.
The Prime Minister said the plan would be successful "when Australia is the sort of country ... where students can go to school without any fear, where cultural diversity and expression is flourishing."
He said criticism of both Israel and the Palestinian authority were valid but that "respectful dialogue" was needed when discussing the Middle East.
The government's response was to be stepped out over several years, with key implementation details - including legislation - yet to be announced.
The report said if systemic problems remained in Australian universities by semester one of 2026, the government should appoint a commission of inquiry into campus anti-Semitism, "including the sources of funding for organised clusters of anti-Semitism".
An ANU spokesperson said the university had been "working to update and improve our policies and procedures to ensure that we balance attention to community wellbeing and safety with academic freedom [and] to make our campus an inclusive community environment".
"We believe that education is fundamental to creating inclusive and respectful attitudes and behaviours," the spokesperson said.
"We are now actively reviewing the Segal Report and welcome the opportunity to address the recommendations."
The ANU was rolling out compulsory professional development modules with resources on anti-Semitism, racism and other forms of discrimination and engaging with Jewish student representatives.
Victoria established an anti-Semitism task force after an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue over the weekend, the latest violent attack targeting Jewish Australians across the nation. Similar violent attacks have taken place in Sydney.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, who visited the East Melbourne Synagogue on Tuesday, said it was "very confronting to hear how Jewish Australians feel right now" and that the Coalition would continue to "demand a stronger accountability from the Prime Minister in the face of this anti-Semitism".
Ms Ley called on the government to implement a 15-point plan to defeat anti-Semitism in Australia released by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry after the Sky News Antisemitism Summit in February.
The University of Canberra has been approached for comment.
Universities could be stripped of government funding if they fail to combat anti-Semitism from staff or students, as part of a proposal unveiled by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday.
"There are Jewish students who have been attacked, vilified, abused, because of their identification ... by a perpetrator for being Jewish," Mr Albanese told reporters in Sydney. "That has no place in Australia."
A 20-page report by Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Jillian Segal, released on Thursday, recommends a "report card" system whereby universities could be ranked and scored on how well they combat anti-Semitism - with Commonwealth funding to be withdrawn if they do not meet standards.
The plan aims to address Australia's rising anti-Semitism since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, including on university campuses where pro-Palestinian protesters have clashed with Jewish students.
Ms Segal said universities, which she has previously accused of being "in denial" about anti-Semitism, would be "a huge focus" as she worked with the government to tackle the issue and that they would be "expected to uphold consistent standards and demonstrate accountability".
"We cannot hope to really abolish anti-Semitism, but we can push it to the margins of society. It must not be considered acceptable," she said.
"Education is central. It shapes not only what young Australians know, but how they think and how they treat others."
READ MORE:
The report said universities "must ensure they adopt a definition of anti-Semitism that is effective in addressing anti-Semitism on campus practically, including being integrated into codes of conduct," the plan says. "They must also report transparently on complaints and disciplinary actions."
It said universities "must embrace cultural change to end their tolerance for anti-Semitic conduct".
Australian National University vice-chancellor Genevieve Bell has repeatedly defended the university's handling of anti-Semitism on campus, including after it investigated alleged anti-Semitic gestures during a student meeting and found "that did not, in fact, happen".
She told a Senate estimates hearing last year that "academic freedom and freedom of speech are not absolute" and that protesters chanting "antifada" and "from the river to the sea" had been told to stop.
Jewish students at the ANU have told this masthead they felt abandoned by the university.
Mr Albanese also put arts bodies on notice that they could lose funding over anti-Semitic creative works and said social media platforms would be a focus.
"I think there is an impact of social media where algorithms work to reinforce people's views," Mr Albanese said when asked if Australians were becoming more intolerant of each other's views.
"That's the way that algorithms work; they push people towards extremes ... Australia wants a country that's in the centre."
The report also recommended that border force officials be trained to spot and deport anti-Semites.
The Prime Minister said the plan would be successful "when Australia is the sort of country ... where students can go to school without any fear, where cultural diversity and expression is flourishing."
He said criticism of both Israel and the Palestinian authority were valid but that "respectful dialogue" was needed when discussing the Middle East.
The government's response was to be stepped out over several years, with key implementation details - including legislation - yet to be announced.
The report said if systemic problems remained in Australian universities by semester one of 2026, the government should appoint a commission of inquiry into campus anti-Semitism, "including the sources of funding for organised clusters of anti-Semitism".
An ANU spokesperson said the university had been "working to update and improve our policies and procedures to ensure that we balance attention to community wellbeing and safety with academic freedom [and] to make our campus an inclusive community environment".
"We believe that education is fundamental to creating inclusive and respectful attitudes and behaviours," the spokesperson said.
"We are now actively reviewing the Segal Report and welcome the opportunity to address the recommendations."
The ANU was rolling out compulsory professional development modules with resources on anti-Semitism, racism and other forms of discrimination and engaging with Jewish student representatives.
Victoria established an anti-Semitism task force after an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue over the weekend, the latest violent attack targeting Jewish Australians across the nation. Similar violent attacks have taken place in Sydney.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, who visited the East Melbourne Synagogue on Tuesday, said it was "very confronting to hear how Jewish Australians feel right now" and that the Coalition would continue to "demand a stronger accountability from the Prime Minister in the face of this anti-Semitism".
Ms Ley called on the government to implement a 15-point plan to defeat anti-Semitism in Australia released by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry after the Sky News Antisemitism Summit in February.
The University of Canberra has been approached for comment.
Universities could be stripped of government funding if they fail to combat anti-Semitism from staff or students, as part of a proposal unveiled by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday.
"There are Jewish students who have been attacked, vilified, abused, because of their identification ... by a perpetrator for being Jewish," Mr Albanese told reporters in Sydney. "That has no place in Australia."
A 20-page report by Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Jillian Segal, released on Thursday, recommends a "report card" system whereby universities could be ranked and scored on how well they combat anti-Semitism - with Commonwealth funding to be withdrawn if they do not meet standards.
The plan aims to address Australia's rising anti-Semitism since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, including on university campuses where pro-Palestinian protesters have clashed with Jewish students.
Ms Segal said universities, which she has previously accused of being "in denial" about anti-Semitism, would be "a huge focus" as she worked with the government to tackle the issue and that they would be "expected to uphold consistent standards and demonstrate accountability".
"We cannot hope to really abolish anti-Semitism, but we can push it to the margins of society. It must not be considered acceptable," she said.
"Education is central. It shapes not only what young Australians know, but how they think and how they treat others."
READ MORE:
The report said universities "must ensure they adopt a definition of anti-Semitism that is effective in addressing anti-Semitism on campus practically, including being integrated into codes of conduct," the plan says. "They must also report transparently on complaints and disciplinary actions."
It said universities "must embrace cultural change to end their tolerance for anti-Semitic conduct".
Australian National University vice-chancellor Genevieve Bell has repeatedly defended the university's handling of anti-Semitism on campus, including after it investigated alleged anti-Semitic gestures during a student meeting and found "that did not, in fact, happen".
She told a Senate estimates hearing last year that "academic freedom and freedom of speech are not absolute" and that protesters chanting "antifada" and "from the river to the sea" had been told to stop.
Jewish students at the ANU have told this masthead they felt abandoned by the university.
Mr Albanese also put arts bodies on notice that they could lose funding over anti-Semitic creative works and said social media platforms would be a focus.
"I think there is an impact of social media where algorithms work to reinforce people's views," Mr Albanese said when asked if Australians were becoming more intolerant of each other's views.
"That's the way that algorithms work; they push people towards extremes ... Australia wants a country that's in the centre."
The report also recommended that border force officials be trained to spot and deport anti-Semites.
The Prime Minister said the plan would be successful "when Australia is the sort of country ... where students can go to school without any fear, where cultural diversity and expression is flourishing."
He said criticism of both Israel and the Palestinian authority were valid but that "respectful dialogue" was needed when discussing the Middle East.
The government's response was to be stepped out over several years, with key implementation details - including legislation - yet to be announced.
The report said if systemic problems remained in Australian universities by semester one of 2026, the government should appoint a commission of inquiry into campus anti-Semitism, "including the sources of funding for organised clusters of anti-Semitism".
An ANU spokesperson said the university had been "working to update and improve our policies and procedures to ensure that we balance attention to community wellbeing and safety with academic freedom [and] to make our campus an inclusive community environment".
"We believe that education is fundamental to creating inclusive and respectful attitudes and behaviours," the spokesperson said.
"We are now actively reviewing the Segal Report and welcome the opportunity to address the recommendations."
The ANU was rolling out compulsory professional development modules with resources on anti-Semitism, racism and other forms of discrimination and engaging with Jewish student representatives.
Victoria established an anti-Semitism task force after an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue over the weekend, the latest violent attack targeting Jewish Australians across the nation. Similar violent attacks have taken place in Sydney.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, who visited the East Melbourne Synagogue on Tuesday, said it was "very confronting to hear how Jewish Australians feel right now" and that the Coalition would continue to "demand a stronger accountability from the Prime Minister in the face of this anti-Semitism".
Ms Ley called on the government to implement a 15-point plan to defeat anti-Semitism in Australia released by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry after the Sky News Antisemitism Summit in February.
The University of Canberra has been approached for comment.
Universities could be stripped of government funding if they fail to combat anti-Semitism from staff or students, as part of a proposal unveiled by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday.
"There are Jewish students who have been attacked, vilified, abused, because of their identification ... by a perpetrator for being Jewish," Mr Albanese told reporters in Sydney. "That has no place in Australia."
A 20-page report by Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Jillian Segal, released on Thursday, recommends a "report card" system whereby universities could be ranked and scored on how well they combat anti-Semitism - with Commonwealth funding to be withdrawn if they do not meet standards.
The plan aims to address Australia's rising anti-Semitism since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, including on university campuses where pro-Palestinian protesters have clashed with Jewish students.
Ms Segal said universities, which she has previously accused of being "in denial" about anti-Semitism, would be "a huge focus" as she worked with the government to tackle the issue and that they would be "expected to uphold consistent standards and demonstrate accountability".
"We cannot hope to really abolish anti-Semitism, but we can push it to the margins of society. It must not be considered acceptable," she said.
"Education is central. It shapes not only what young Australians know, but how they think and how they treat others."
READ MORE:
The report said universities "must ensure they adopt a definition of anti-Semitism that is effective in addressing anti-Semitism on campus practically, including being integrated into codes of conduct," the plan says. "They must also report transparently on complaints and disciplinary actions."
It said universities "must embrace cultural change to end their tolerance for anti-Semitic conduct".
Australian National University vice-chancellor Genevieve Bell has repeatedly defended the university's handling of anti-Semitism on campus, including after it investigated alleged anti-Semitic gestures during a student meeting and found "that did not, in fact, happen".
She told a Senate estimates hearing last year that "academic freedom and freedom of speech are not absolute" and that protesters chanting "antifada" and "from the river to the sea" had been told to stop.
Jewish students at the ANU have told this masthead they felt abandoned by the university.
Mr Albanese also put arts bodies on notice that they could lose funding over anti-Semitic creative works and said social media platforms would be a focus.
"I think there is an impact of social media where algorithms work to reinforce people's views," Mr Albanese said when asked if Australians were becoming more intolerant of each other's views.
"That's the way that algorithms work; they push people towards extremes ... Australia wants a country that's in the centre."
The report also recommended that border force officials be trained to spot and deport anti-Semites.
The Prime Minister said the plan would be successful "when Australia is the sort of country ... where students can go to school without any fear, where cultural diversity and expression is flourishing."
He said criticism of both Israel and the Palestinian authority were valid but that "respectful dialogue" was needed when discussing the Middle East.
The government's response was to be stepped out over several years, with key implementation details - including legislation - yet to be announced.
The report said if systemic problems remained in Australian universities by semester one of 2026, the government should appoint a commission of inquiry into campus anti-Semitism, "including the sources of funding for organised clusters of anti-Semitism".
An ANU spokesperson said the university had been "working to update and improve our policies and procedures to ensure that we balance attention to community wellbeing and safety with academic freedom [and] to make our campus an inclusive community environment".
"We believe that education is fundamental to creating inclusive and respectful attitudes and behaviours," the spokesperson said.
"We are now actively reviewing the Segal Report and welcome the opportunity to address the recommendations."
The ANU was rolling out compulsory professional development modules with resources on anti-Semitism, racism and other forms of discrimination and engaging with Jewish student representatives.
Victoria established an anti-Semitism task force after an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue over the weekend, the latest violent attack targeting Jewish Australians across the nation. Similar violent attacks have taken place in Sydney.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, who visited the East Melbourne Synagogue on Tuesday, said it was "very confronting to hear how Jewish Australians feel right now" and that the Coalition would continue to "demand a stronger accountability from the Prime Minister in the face of this anti-Semitism".
Ms Ley called on the government to implement a 15-point plan to defeat anti-Semitism in Australia released by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry after the Sky News Antisemitism Summit in February.
The University of Canberra has been approached for comment.