Statement: Inquiry into antisemitism at Australian Universities

Opening statement by President Hugh de Kretser to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee Inquiry into the proposed Commission of Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities Bill (2024)

Thank you for the opportunity to appear today. I acknowledge we are meeting on Aboriginal land, in my case the land of the Bunurong / Boonwurrung people of the Kulin Nation.

Antisemitism is a matter of grave concern to the Commission.

Antisemitism harms people’s identity and self-esteem.

It creates stigma, shame and fear.

It damages people’s health and wellbeing and denies them full participation in life.

It corrodes social cohesion and left unchecked it can lead to violence.

There has been widespread reporting of a significant rise in incidents of antisemitism across communities and specifically at universities and it must be condemned.

For example, the Commission has heard that students have reported witnessing Holocaust denial and hearing antisemitic tropes. Students have told us about the ways in which they have changed their behaviour because of these experiences of antisemitism. This inquiry has heard evidence of Nazi graffiti and gestures.

The many submissions to this inquiry bear witness to the human impact of antisemitism at universities.

We thank everyone who has shared their submissions. In addition to assisting this inquiry, your submissions will help the Commission’s work.

The Commission’s work is strongly focused on addressing racism. The Commission’s access to justice work investigates and conciliates complaints of racial discrimination and racial vilification under the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth). Complaints that are not resolved through our processes can be taken for determination through the Federal Court system.

Through the Commission’s policy work addressing racism we are looking at the prevalence, nature and impact of antisemitism in Australia to highlight the scale of the problem and provide lasting solutions to address it.

For example, the Commission is currently working on a National Anti-Racism Strategy, which includes a National Anti-Racism Framework, and anti-racism public awareness and education campaign.

The Commission has also been funded by the Australian Government to conduct a Study into the Prevalence and Impact of Racism in Australian Universities.

This study implements a recommendation of the Universities Accord. It will have a significant focus on antisemitism, as well as racism against First Nations people and Islamophobia. The Commission’s legislation has strong provisions to protect confidential information shared with us through the study.

The Commission has also been funded to undertake a program of community engagement and awareness raising about racism to support safety in Jewish, Palestinian, Muslim and Arab communities in Australia.

It is a matter for the Australian Government and Parliament to consider the most appropriate approach to address the surge in antisemitism and other forms of racism in Australia, and what additional steps it may take to address it.

The Commission recognises the significant concerns that have been raised and the importance of taking action. The proposed judicial inquiry is one way to do this and should be considered within a broader framework of measures designed to address antisemitism, and racism more broadly.

If the proposed Judicial Commission is established, the Commission would welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with it in addressing antisemitism in Australia.