Statement from Vice-Chancellor to Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights

Thank you for the opportunity for The Australian National University to provide input to this hearing today, both in person and via our submission. We have also provided detailed responses to many of this panel, and your colleagues over the last year.

Like all other Australian institutions, we abhor antisemitism and all types of racism, discrimination and vilification. As we reflected in our submission, in 2024, there were 34 disclosures of racism through our online disclosure tool, 10 of which we have determined to be related to antisemitism. We take these incidents seriously and we have investigated in line with our internal policies and procedures. We are continuing to work through our policy settings and responses to ensure that we can address these behaviours and also listen to, and learn from, our community.

But our response cannot and should not be undertaken in isolation from the broader context of Australian society. Universities do not exist in a vacuum. They are a microcosm, reflecting the consistently evolving context of society – both its positives and negatives.

Our submission details our policies and procedures and the ways we have been and continue to tackle antisemitism on our campus and in our community. Our policies and procedures prohibit all forms of discrimination, vilification, intimidation, violence, and other oppressive and disrespectful behaviour towards anyone, regardless of cultural background, religion, or political conviction. And where people fall short of these expectations, we do and will act.  

We know that these experiences have a profound impact on individuals, and we have created multiple mechanisms or pathways for disclosures and reporting inappropriate conduct, which we can detail for you today. Our first response is always to manage immediate risks, and support students and staff who are, or feel, targeted or affected, including de-escalating heightened tensions.

We are also working with our colleagues across the sector to ensure that we are continuing to learn and adapt to the changing world around us and to see what best practice is. We have been collaborating with the Special Envoy, Jillian Segal, as she looks to address these issues.

We remain committed to academic freedom and peaceful protest. We also must ensure appropriate guardrails are in place for our community and its wellbeing.

Universities must be places to hold and shape hard, and sometimes, uncomfortable conversations.

I am joined today by Professor Grady Venville, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) whose purview incudes all student matters and disciplinary processes. Professor Tony Connolly, both Dean of the newly created ANU College of Law, Governance and Policy and Chair of the ANU Academic Board, which maintains the highest standards in teaching, scholarship and research for the University. And Lisa Kennedy, interim Director of University Experience, who leads our engagement and support for students. Their expertise has been central to how we have addressed these issues at ANU, and I am sure the committee will find their input valuable.

These issues are complex for the entire sector and this parliament, and we welcome the chance to contribute our experiences to this inquiry.