Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Hansard source

The government does not support this motion for the suspension of standing orders. Rather than disrupting the routine of business, there are other opportunities to advance these arguments in the Senate, including as a matter of public importance, as an urgency motion in the general business debate, in senators' statements or in the adjournment debate. It's also clear that this motion is drafted to be absolutist. It's another example of the Greens seeking to divide the community on these issues by taking an absolutist position. They are seeking to win votes in the community, rather than work to achieve social cohesion. But it is typical of what we have seen from the Greens on this matter.

The government believes all Australians have the right to be safe in their home, in their communities and, indeed, in their education institutions, workplaces and online. The Australian government has a zero-tolerance approach towards violence and expects all students to act respectfully towards each other. Antisemitism, Islamophobia and any other form of racism, harassment, discrimination or intimidation must not be allowed to threaten the safety of students and staff on Australian university campuses. Any incidents on campus that contravene the law should be immediately reported to the police.

Universities must uphold their obligations under the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021, which include having policies in place around freedom of speech, fostering a safe environment and ensuring student and staff wellbeing. While universities must uphold freedom of speech, this does not extend to protecting or tolerating discriminatory or hate speech, including antisemitism or Islamophobia. Universities are taking action where they have identified such issues. For example, the Australian National University is investigating claims of threats against Jewish students and has taken disciplinary action where it deemed appropriate. The University of Queensland is engaging with protest organisers, is monitoring activities and has increased security and has also reported incidents to police where it deemed appropriate. Monash University vice-chancellor emailed all staff on 9 May 2024 to affirm that, while the university defends freedom of speech, it does not tolerate behaviour that is not in line with university policies on community safety or antidiscrimination. Under the threshold standards, providers must also have effective grievance processes in place to enable complaints to be made without fear of reprisal and which provide for a review by an appropriate independent third party if internal processes fail to resolve disagreements.

The higher education sector regulator, the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency, wrote to the higher education providers last week to remind them of their obligations under the threshold standards to ensure appropriate measures are in place to uphold the safety and wellbeing of students and staff. Should TEQSA identify any noncompliance with the threshold standards, its regulation actions can include placing conditions on a provider's registration, and TEQSA can also issue an infringement notice or seek a civil penalty in court in the conditions TEQSA places on providers if they are breached. Those are the options that are available.

It is an issue the government has taken seriously. Again, I note that on this the Greens are always seeking to look for votes and mine for votes. They don't actually seek social cohesion, which is what the government is aiming to achieve. I move:

That the question be now put.