University commissions review of policies and processes

The full statement from the University of Sydney's 19th Chancellor David Thodey and 18th Chancellor Belinda Hutchinson is below.

Public Statement – Senate Inquiry and External Review

We want members of our diverse community to feel included and to have the opportunity to participate in all facets of our campus life.

Our large and vibrant university is, in many ways, a microcosm of the broader society and community, where there are unacceptable increased levels of racism and intolerance. The Australian Government has recently announced a special envoy to counter antisemitism. There is also an intention to shortly announce  a special envoy to counter Islamophobia.   

Many in our community have been deeply distressed by the events of 7 October 2023, and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the reverberations that are being felt around the world. We are committed to ensuring that the University has:

• a campus that is safe and welcoming for all students and staff;
• appropriate processes and policies in place targeted at preventing discrimination and harassment;
• effective protocols and practices to deal with allegations and acts of racism, threats to safety, hate speech, intimidation, threatening speech, bullying or unlawful harassment;
• processes and policies that reflect best practice and are fit for purpose and the times.

In providing a safe and welcoming environment for all our in our community, we also must be in a position to ensure our unwavering commitment to free speech and academic freedom as core principles of the University. 

On 4 July 2024 the Coalition's bill to establish a judicial inquiry into antisemitism at Australian universities was referred to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for an inquiry which will report by 4 October 2024. The University intends to cooperate with the Senate Committee's process and with the special envoy.

In addition, the University is in the process of commissioning an external review to ensure that its processes and policies are appropriate and accord with applicable standards. This review will be conducted by Bruce Hodgkinson AM SC, a preeminent Senior Counsel in New South Wales with relevant expertise including in health and safety. We anticipate this review concluding after completion of the Senate Committee inquiry and report.

The University is committed to considering and taking action as appropriate, in response to any recommendations from the Senate Committee inquiry and the review and implementing any other measures which it determines may be appropriate to ensure high standards of discourse, conduct and behaviour on campus are met. 

David Thodey               Belinda Hutchinson 
19th Chancellor           18th Chancellor