Shadow education minister Julian Leeser said the time for universities 'mucking around' on definitions of antisemitism was over. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
Leeser spoke to RN Breakfast this morning, saying:
"Universities are the place where the next generation of leaders goes to be formed. And the fact that our vice-chancellors are so weak and spineless that they haven't been able to crack down on this shows how much we need this definition adopted ...
I think this week at the royal commission, this is the week where the vice-chancellors have to own up for their failures here, for their failures in allowing those encampments to persist and saying that that's just the price Jews have to pay for free speech ... for failing to provide a safe environment for Jewish staff and Jewish students, and allowing a culture of fear to take place."
Leeser's remarks come ahead of the royal commission hearings on antisemitism in universities. He believes vice-chancellors must answer to the commission this week.
According to Leeser, universities need to adopt a clear definition of antisemitism, and vice-chancellors who have shown weakness on this issue cannot justify their position.
This situation has heightened concerns about the safety of Jewish students and staff in Australian universities. The royal commission hearings aim to address these issues.