A prominent university chancellor has delivered a scathing assessment of Australian higher education institutions, labelling them the "most prominent sites of antisemitic activity" in a deeply personal submission to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.

Professor Jennifer Westacott, Chancellor of Western Sydney University and former chief executive of the Business Council of Australia, expressed profound alarm over what she perceives as the erosion of safety and dignity for Jewish Australians studying and working within these environments. Her testimony comes as the Royal Commission specifically scrutinises the role of universities this week.

In her detailed submission, Professor Westacott argued that universities frequently "hid" behind concepts of "free speech" and academic freedom, sidestepping their responsibility to address what she unequivocally termed "plainly abhorrent" and "hate speech." She cited disturbing examples, including "placards calling for the murder of Jews, chants calling for the annihilation of the Jewish state, [and] behaviour designed to intimidate and to drive fear into a specific group of people."

"That is not a contest of ideas. That is the deliberate targeting of people because of who they are," Professor Westacott asserted, underscoring the distinction between legitimate discourse and hateful conduct. She also noted that Muslim students reported feeling unsafe on Australian campuses during this period, highlighting a broader environment of concern.

A Personal Reckoning with Antisemitism

Professor Westacott’s motivation to speak out is rooted in a compelling personal history. She revealed a childhood marked by disadvantage, family dysfunction, and violence, disclosing that her own father was an antisemite. This upbringing profoundly shaped her perspective and spurred her to confront prejudice.

She recounted a particularly chilling memory from her youth: witnessing an image on television of two people hanging by their necks. When visibly distressed, her father offered a disturbing reassurance: "Don't worry, that only happens to the Jews." This early exposure to antisemitism profoundly affected her, a feeling later mitigated by Jewish friends made during her university years, who helped her develop "a deeper understanding of the profound danger and the effect of antisemitism on Jewish people."

This personal experience, coupled with her professional observations, led her to characterise the current situation as a "moral failure" of leadership across universities and wider society. "No one university, no one government department, no single entity, can be held solely responsible. This was a whole-of-nation failure to comprehend, in real time, the seriousness of what was happening," she wrote.

While acknowledging that the university sector has "stepped up" its efforts to tackle antisemitism since the height of protests in 2024, Professor Westacott stressed the importance of maintaining this momentum.

Balancing Safety and Academic Freedom

The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) has also weighed in on the issue, cautioning that academic freedom could become "collateral damage" as institutions consider measures to protect Jewish staff and students.

David Gonzalez, president of the NTEU's Victorian branch, affirmed the "absolute right" of Jewish students and staff to safety, respect, and freedom from antisemitism, describing it as non-controversial and non-negotiable. However, he stressed that "neither should academic freedom" be compromised. Gonzalez argued that universities should not combat prejudice by placing "controversial ideas, political criticism or entire fields of inquiry under managerial or political supervision."

He clarified that academic freedom does not extend to vilification, harassment, intimidation, or unlawful conduct. However, he expressed concern about proposals that might grant managers "broader authority to discipline staff for expressing contested political or scholarly views," noting that university executives could have a "conflict of interest" when deciding what criticism of their institutions is legitimate.

Gonzalez further highlighted that criticising the Israeli government and supporting Palestinian rights is not "by itself antisemitic." He concluded by reminding the commission that universities are not "government departments, corporate public-relations offices or ideological comfort zones," and their public purpose relies on staff and students being able to investigate powerful institutions, challenge accepted orthodoxies, and reach conclusions that might be unpopular with authorities or donors.

The Royal Commission is set to continue hearing testimonies from university leaders, with Monash University and the Australian National University expected to present evidence in coming days.