A move to re-establish attempts at a judicial inquiry into antisemitism at Australian universities has exposed questions around what has been called a “major national security issue” for the nation.
Federal member for Berowra Julian Leeser addressed Australia’s parliament on June 25 as he attempted to re-introduce the Commission of Inquiry into Anti-Semitism at Australian Universities Bill 2024.
The bill revolves around concerns of anti-Semitic behaviour at Australia’s universities, many of which have been the sites of pro-Palestinian encampments across the nation.
The government did not agree to bringing the bill for debate earlier in the month.
In attempting to open the topic up to debate once more, Mr. Leeser queried the relationship between the University of Sydney and the Australian branch of Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir.
Hizb ut-Tahrir self-describes as an Islamic political party that “works globally to resume the Islamic way of life.” It has been deemed a terrorist organisation in the UK.
He quoted comments from the UK Minister of State for Security, Tom Tugendhat, who said, “Free speech includes neither the promotion of terrorism, not the celebration of terrorist acts.”
Mr. Tugendhat added that it was “not acceptable” to describe Hamas as Palestine’s heroes or call the Oct. 7 events a victory.
“To that, I say hear, hear,” Mr. Leeser said.
The Liberal MP said Hizb ut-Tehrir opposed democracy and embraced anti-Semitism.
Yet despite this reputation, Mr. Leeser said Hizb ut-Tehrir was now playing an “oversized” role in the University of Sydney after talks that followed encampments which were organised by the group.
He noted that every other group had packed up and left when told to, except for Hizb ut-Tehrir, which refused.
“That resistance has worked in our favour across many fronts, most particularly, being the catalyst for negotiations with the uni,” the group wrote on its Instagram account.
Most disturbingly, Mr. Leeser said, was Hizb ut-Tehrir’s success in securing a promise from the university to establish a group to review its defence investments and research.
“That’s bad enough, but this is now a major national security issue at our oldest university,” he told Parliament.
“It’s an extraordinary capitulation, at a time when the AUKUS agreements require the focus and attention of our best and brightest minds Sydney university is allowing an extremist group—an organisation listed as a terrorist organisation by our oldest ally—to run the ruler over every defence agreement.”
Mr. Leeser questioned why anyone involved with AUKUS would want to work with the University of Sydney in the wake of the agreement, and accused the university of ignoring the group’s anti-Semitic actions on campus.
Hizb ut-Tehrir, which dismissed the government’s crackdown on the swastika and Nazi salute as “virtue signalling,” were the first to announce the partnership with the University of Sydney on Friday night.
“Be in no doubt, whilst the university may be enjoying its new agreement with Hizb ut-Tehrir, the university’s relationship with the Jewish community is in absolute tatters,” Mr. Leeser said, adding that Jewish employers were leaving the university, and Jewish students had been transferring away.
University Denies Giving Sensitive Information to Group
A spokesperson for the University of Sydney denied allegations that its affiliation with Hizb ut-Tahrir would compromise Australia’s security.“We are in constant contact with the police and the safety of our community is our absolute priority at all times,” they said in a statement provided to The Epoch Times.
“If we are given cause to believe there is a risk to our community, we act immediately and proportionately.”
The spokesperson said no adverse events on campus had been reported to them in the wake of the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas.
“The university is not itself in a position to identify organisations that may be extremist, radicalised or potentially violent,” they said.
“This identification is made by governments and police, and we are directed by them.
“We have been assured by police we would be notified about extremist, violent or radicalised behaviour that we need to be aware of.
“No concerns have been raised with us by police or other government intelligence agencies at any time since the distressing events of Oct. 7.”
The university also noted that Hizb ut-Tahrir had not been deemed a terrorist organisation by authorities in Australia, and as a consequence, members of the group were legally able to appear at rallies and events across New South Wales.
“Our priority has always been a peaceful resolution and the agreement aligns with similar offers made at leading universities from around the world, including Harvard University and the University of Melbourne,” the spokesperson said.
“Our proposal emphasises transparency around partnerships and does not include a review of our research partnerships, including those with our valued defence and security industry partners.”
Independent Member Calls for Terror Listing
On June 26, Independent Member for Wentworth Allegra Spender asked the government to consider listing the Islamic Republic of Iran as terrorist group.She noted they would need to work through questions around whether such a listing would be allowable under Australian law.
Ms. Spender discussed the topic in Parliament, saying both Israelis and Palestinians had suffered from conflicts that had occurred with Iran’s support.
“The Iranian government must be held accountable for the role it has had in promoting terror in the Middle East,” she said.
