The Albanese Government’s decision to refer the antisemitism crisis at Australian universities to a parliamentary scrutiny committee is shockingly inadequate and a farce, according to Shadow Minister for Education Sarah Henderson.
The government has directed the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights to inquire and report by 31 March 2025 which is likely to be after a federal election is called when Parliament is dissolved.
“The reporting date is a grubby attempt by Labor to ensure the committee’s report never sees the light of day,” Senator Henderson said.
“Education Minister Jason Clare has used the same dirty tricks by requiring the Australian Human Rights Commission to complete its discredited university racism study by 13 June 2025, following the federal election.
“This inquiry is a gross insult to Jewish Australians because it ignores the advice of the government’s antisemitism envoy, Jillian Segal, and representatives of every major Jewish organisation who strongly back an independent judicial inquiry into antisemitism at Australian universities.
“Since 7 October 2023, Labor has repeatedly failed to take the necessary action to combat campus antisemitism. That is why so many Jewish students and staff no longer feel safe at university.
“Whether it was protest encampments which fuelled antisemitic hate and incitement, the menacing of students by the extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir or the occupation of buildings, Mr Clare was missing in action, consistently failing the test of leadership,” Senator Henderson said.
The senate inquiry into the Coalition’s bill to establish a Commission of Inquiry into antisemitism at Australian universities received 669 submissions, with many Jewish students and staff raising serious safety concerns
“To add insult to injury, how can Jewish Australians be expected to give evidence before activist senators David Shoebridge and Lidia Thorpe who have prosecuted a deeply offensive, anti-Israel agenda,” Senator Henderson said.
“Antisemitism is a threat not just to Jewish Australians but to our country’s social cohesion and democratic values.
“It is no wonder so many Australians have lost faith in the Albanese government,” Senator Henderson said.