The Albanese Government must urgently investigate revelations University of Sydney vice-chancellor, Mark Scott, was alerted in early May that radical Islamist group, Hizb ut-Tahrir, had infiltrated the pro-Palestinian encampment on campus.
As reported today, the vice-chancellor’s chief of staff was made aware on 6 May that members of Hizb ut-Tahrir, a proscribed terrorist organisation in the United Kingdom, were actively protesting on campus.
It is understood for many weeks Mr Scott took no action to shut down the encampment or prevent extremists from entering and marching on university grounds, despite being on notice about these serious threats to student safety.
Mr Scott’s decision to turn a blind eye to the activities of radical extremists on campus is a serious dereliction of duty.
Education Minister, Jason Clare, must establish an urgent government inquiry into the University of Sydney’s failures to protect students and staff from the safety threats posed by Hizb ut-Tahrir. Questions that must be answered include:
- • When did the university and its vice-chancellor first learn about the presence of Hizb ut-Tahrir?
- • What actions did the vice-chancellor take in response?
- • What advice did the vice-chancellor seek in relation to the presence of Hizb ut-Tahrir?
- • How many complaints were received about Hizb ut-Tahrir or any other extremist group, and how did the university respond?
The Albanese Government must uncover what has occurred, make its findings public, and put in place measures to ensure this abdication of responsibility can never happen again.
The government must urgently act to restore the reputation of Australia’s oldest university which is supported by more than $1 billion of taxpayers’ money a year.
It is time Jason Clare showed some leadership and said enough is enough.
Over many months, the Coalition has consistently called on all universities to enforce their misconduct rules against intimidation, racial vilification and discrimination and combat the unprecedented levels of antisemitism on campus.
This includes shutting down unauthorised encampments and banning from campus any protestor who was not a university student or staff member.
Several days ago, I joined Jewish groups and Coalition colleagues in condemning the University of Sydney’s appalling capitulation to pro-Palestinian protestors, including people linked to Hizb ut-Tahir, for agreeing to disclose defence and security research agreements and investments.
Today in the Senate, I will introduce a private senator’s bill to establish a judicial inquiry into antisemitism at Australian universities, which mirrors the private member’s bill being prosecuted by the member for Berowra, Julian Leeser.
These latest revelations underline the urgent need for a judicial inquiry, like never before.