Senate committee rejects judicial inquiry into university antisemitism

The Senate inquiry into antisemitism at Australian universities has recommended a parliamentary inquiry into university antisemitism but declined a proposed judicial inquiry.

It says a judicial inquiry would be “too slow” and universities should take action now through better complaints procedures.

“It is clear to the committee that university responses to incidents of antisemitism, and the fears of Jewish students and staff, have been woefully inadequate,” the Senate’s Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee reported, describing the failure as remarkably similar to universities’ historically poor responses to sexual assault and harassment.

The report said the majority of the 669 submissions it received were in favour of a Commission of Inquiry but that it considers “actions that produce results more quickly and are more agile and responsive to the situation on the ground are required”. It called on all universities to review their complaints procedures to ”deliver real and meaningful outcomes for complainants”.

“It is entirely within the power of Australian universities to take action to address antisemitism now,” the committee found.

The decision has been greeted with dismay by Jewish communal leaders.

“An inquiry conducted by a senior judge would take the politics out of the issue, whereas another parliamentary inquiry will put the politics back in,” Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) Co-CEO Peter Wertheim said.