Universities will be required to define antisemitism and create transparent processes for complaints of racism as part of an overhaul of higher education standards being rolled out by the Albanese Government. Source: ABC News.
The rules also include new transparency measures for institutions to publicly disclose the salaries of vice-chancellors, and reveal the money they spend hiring consultants.
Universities will have to report to the industry watchdog annually on an “if not, why not” basis, and will face further action if they do not comply.
Education Minister Jason Clare said the changes were about making sure universities meet standards that the “whole community expects”.
“There is no place for antisemitism or any type of hate in our universities or anywhere else,” he said.
“Unis will have to act to prevent racism and respond when it happens.”
The government had initially announced the change to the standards in December, following the Bondi Beach terror attack.
It was also a recommendation of the Respect at Uni report, commissioned by the government and published by the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Public universities will be required to comply with the new racism standards from January, while private institutions have until July.
The government wants to pass legislation through Parliament before the end of the year to grant the regulator, the Tertiary Education and Quality Standards Agency (TEQSA), beefed up enforcement powers.
Last year, Mr Clare said TEQSA needed “better tools” and “stronger powers” to act in the public interest.
Universities will be required to adopt definitions including of antisemitism, racism toward Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and Islamophobia, but the government has said it would not require a specific definition to be adopted in any of those categories.
Under the new standards, higher education institutions will also have to set up “transparent” processes and “enable representation and participation in decision making” when they receive complaints.
There is also a requirement for universities to provide “clear guidance” to staff and students about actions that “enhance safety and security on campus” as well as online.
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Universities required to define antisemitism under new racism standards (By Holly Tregenza, ABC News)
