University of Melbourne reaffirms its commitment to combat all forms of racism

Image credit: Shaan R. Ali Photography

University of Melbourne Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Nicola Phillips appeared today at the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, alongside representatives from other universities.

Professor Phillips made the following opening remarks at the Joint Committee.

Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today.

I am Professor Nicola Phillips, Interim Vice-Chancellor at the University of Melbourne.

Allow me to say again what I said to the Senate Committee inquiry in September: the University of Melbourne stands against all forms of racism, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to combat antisemitism on our campuses.

We recognise that Jewish members of our community can experience particular forms of prejudice or hate. We, like others, have observed the increase in antisemitic behaviours across society, most recently in the devastating attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in our own city and the deeply disturbing events of the last couple of days in Sydney.

While there are very different views within our University and outside it in relation to what has occurred on our campuses over the course of this year, we nevertheless move into 2025 with undimmed resolve to tackle antisemitism in all of its forms and to make sure that our campuses are safe and welcoming places for everyone, including all Jewish staff, students and visitors.

We have learned much over the last 14 months and have been proactively seeking to deal with the issue of tension on our campuses. There has been some activity that has been unacceptable on our campuses as in society at large. On such occasions we have been clear in our condemnation of the conduct and have taken action.

We have welcomed the appointment of the Special Envoy for Antisemitism, Jillian Segal AO, and have been working actively with her to support her work, together with the Group of Eight and Universities Australia. We have convened an expert roundtable for the Special Envoy for Social Cohesion, Peter Khalil MP, and we have also met with the recently appointed Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia in Australia, Mr Aftab Malik.

We have been systematic in the application of our policies and procedures to guide our approach and decision-making, especially in relation to managing conflict. This has been supported by careful legal advice, ongoing advice from Victoria Police, and dialogue with our staff members and students. We have taken and will continue to take disciplinary action where this is warranted, and have been clear that we must do all that is required to protect and uphold the integrity and fairness of those processes.

Over the course of the year we have continually assessed our policies and regulations, and taken steps to tighten up, clarify or improve them where we have identified the need to do so, as well as communicating our expectations clearly in relation to protest and activism on campus. In advance of the commencement of this academic year, we revisited key guidance, including our Educator's Guide, and we have been working throughout the year to develop our undergraduate discovery subjects to support respectful management of difference.

In 2025 we will conduct a comprehensive review of our policies and procedures. Building on ongoing improvement over the past year, this review will draw on with the work of the Envoys, expert advice and other significant external reviews. This will take into consideration the work we have done this year on our academic values, on which we will build further in 2025.

As I said in my statement to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee hearing, there is no doubt that at times we have been challenged in balancing our legal and ethical responsibilities to protect freedom of speech, the right to peaceful protest and the values of academic freedom, with the duty of care that we have to all staff and students to provide a safe and welcoming environment for them.

We will continue learning, but our resolve is firm. The University of Melbourne will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to eradicate antisemitism and all forms of racism from our campuses.

Thank you Chair.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.