ANU denies it ‘lost control’ to a pro-Palestine encampment, royal commission hears
Summary
The Australian National University (ANU) denied losing control of its campus during a pro-Palestine student encampment held in 2024. An internal review found the encampment posed high mental and social risks, leading the university to improve its security procedures for future protests.Key Facts
- The pro-Palestine encampment was set up in April 2024 to show support amid the Israel-Gaza war.
- ANU conducted a safety review which rated the encampment’s psychosocial risks as high. Psychosocial risk means problems that affect people's mental health and social wellbeing.
- The university tried several times to end the encampment, which finished after a dispute over electricity and lights.
- ANU announced it would stop investing in controversial weapons and small arms manufacturers during this period.
- The university’s security team kept close watch on the encampment and interacted with students to ensure safety.
- ANU investigated claims of a Nazi salute at a student meeting but found no misconduct. The gesture thought to be a salute was explained as a common personal gesture by the student.
- About 500 people attended the student meeting where the allegations arose, with one student removed for misconduct unrelated to the salute.
- The royal commission is examining antisemitism and social cohesion in universities, including ANU’s handling of these events.
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