University Appoints Former Judge to Investigate ‘Racism Symposium’ That Lampooned Conservative Jews

Members of the Australian Jewish community hold an Israeli flag during a memorial service in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 7, 2024, to mark the anniversary of Palestinian militant group Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. David Gray/AFP via Getty Images

A former judge will lead a review of the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) symposium last month that saw conservative-leaning Jews lampooned.

During the National Symposium on Unifying Anti-Racist Research and Action last month, the leader of the left-wing Jewish Council of Australia, Sarah Schwartz, showed a presentation that contained a mock superhero character named, “Dutton’s Jew.”

This character was a supposed representation of conservative Jews who support Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, and had traits like promoting Judeo-Christian values, hating the radical left, hating Palestinians and Muslims, and have an anti-immigration stance.

The event was organised by QUT’s Indigenous research group Carumba.

Schwartz issued a statement in the wake of the resultant uproar, saying the slide was a humorous attempt at making light of Dutton’s conservative Jewish following.

She later told the ABC that if she could have changed one thing about her presentation, it would have been ensuring no one recorded it.

Jewish groups said the presentation was distressing, and reminiscent of pre-war Germany.

QUT leadership moved to distance itself from the event, saying the university was not aware or supportive of the viewpoints expressed.

On Feb. 4, QUT announced an independent review into the symposium would be conducted by Justice John Middleton AM KC.

QUT Vice-Chancellor Margaret Sheil said Justice Middleton’s review will consider the content of the of the event, as well as the broader program around it.

​“We appreciate that Justice Middleton has agreed to independently assess the events and activities surrounding the recent symposium and await his findings,” she said in a statement.

Middleton joined national law firm DLA Piper after an extensive legal career.

He has been a federal court judge, a part-time commissioner of the Australian Law Reform Commission, Deputy President of the Australian Competition Tribunal, and presidential member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

QUT says it is finalising the terms of the review and timeframe in consultation with Middleton and has committed to releasing any subsequent findings.

The university said it would not comment further on the review until it was finalised.