Universities 'toxic' for Jewish students, inquiry finds

A "toxic" environment has allowed anti-Semitism to fester and escalate at Australian universities, with a parliamentary inquiry calling for practices at higher education institutions to be reviewed.

Chair of the parliamentary committee which investigated anti-Semitism at universities, Labor MP Josh Burns, released the report on Wednesday.

The inquiry released its report - which contains 10 recommendations - early so universities have access to them before the start of the first semester of 2025.

The inquiry found while universities have differed in their response to anti-Semitism on campus, the rise in prejudice has been "exacerbated by the reluctance of some university administrations to enforce meaningful consequences or show proactive leadership".

"This has allowed a toxic environment to escalate and has resulted in a lack of trust between the Jewish community and university institutions," the report reads.

Universities were found to have inadequate policies and must simplify their complaints policies to encourage increased student reporting, the inquiry found.

The committee also recommends universities publish de-identified complaints reports to improve transparency.

Efforts to fight anti-Semitism should be guided by the lived experience of Jewish students and staff.

The report calls for universities to adopt a clear definition of anti-Semitism that closely aligns with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Working Definition.

It urges government and the National Student Ombudsman review the implementation of the recommendations and university practices to reduce anti-Semitism within 12 months of the report's release.

Mr Burns, who is Jewish, said universities must act now.

"There has been progress. We are seeing an improvement in attitudes by some university leaders ... however significant reform is still needed so that Jewish students and staff are safe on campus," he told parliament.

Coalition members on the inquiry noted the evidence showed an "alarming and abhorrent rise" in anti-Semitism among students and staff at universities across the country.

"After extended inaction ... Jewish Australians deserve immediate and concrete measures from this federal government rather than continued delays that allow anti-Semitism to continue to fester within our universities," the comments read.

The coalition members maintain a full-time judicial inquiry is the only way to "forensically examine and address the crisis".

Education Minister Jason Clare has previously labelled the Australian National University's reinstatement of a student who declared unconditional support for Hamas, inappropriate.

The student successfully had her expulsion overturned on appeal after she called for people to back the designated terrorist group after its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

The Albanese government has faced intense criticism over its management of escalating anti-Semitic incidents in Australia.

A synagogue and childcare centre have been firebombed, in addition to anti-Semitic slurs painted on buildings and cars in an increasing number of attacks since December.