Key Points
- Two students have been expelled from ANU and ten have had disciplinary action lodged after pro-Palestinian protests.
- Vice-chancellor Genevieve Bell said four incidents have been referred to police for further investigation.
- Earlier, the ANU confirmed inquiries were underway about alleged behaviour or speech against its codes of conduct.
The Australian National University (ANU) has expelled two students since the start of , and ten students have had disciplinary action lodged against them.
On Thursday night, university vice-chancellor Genevieve Bell told Senate estimates that of the ten disciplinary cases, five have been resolved, and five are still being considered.
Four incidents have been referred to the Australian Federal Police for further investigation, she said.
Bell said the university is committed to allowing students to express their views in a respectful and appropriate way.
"Our commitment to the classic ideal of the university — academic rigour, free inquiry and free expression, and the right to protest — is not without its challenges," she said.
"Our campus is one of several in Australia and many more across the world that have seen protest activity in recent times reflecting on the conflict in the Middle East.
"Throughout this period ANU has acknowledged the rights enshrined in the university's policies on academic freedom and freedom of speech."
Throughout , ANU students have been involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations and an encampment at the university.
They are calling on ANU to cut ties with weapons manufacturing companies, divest from companies "complicit in genocide in Gaza", take a stance on the conflict, and cut academic relations with Israel.
The student activists are also calling on the Albanese government to cut ties with Israel and send aid to Gaza.
After the encampment was set up, two members of the camp were interviewed on the ABC's Canberra Drive.
In the interview, Beatrice Tucker said she "would not condemn" the.
"I actually say that Hamas deserve our unconditional support .... not because I agree with their strategy ... (I have) complete disagreements with that," she said.
When asked whether the protests and encampment were jeopardising the safety of Jewish students on campus, participant Luke Harrison described it as a "safe space" for everybody.
Harrison, who is Jewish, said organisers were committed to safety.
"My focus is about community, and I felt so in touch with community through this encampment," he said.
"Together we've been fighting for a just cause, but there have been no traces of antisemitism."
Alleged behaviour 'against codes of conduct'
Earlier, the ANU released a statement saying it would not comment on specific disciplinary matters.
"However, the university can confirm it has a number of disciplinary inquiries currently under way for alleged behaviour or speech that contravenes our values as a community, and which go against our codes of conduct," the statement said.
"ANU takes these matters seriously and provides procedural fairness and support for all students."
The university said action would be taken if codes of conduct, student discipline or community values were breached.
"ANU is a place of respectful debate and we are proud of our long history of student political engagement," the statement said.
"All staff and students are free to express themselves and protest in line with the university's academic freedom and freedom of speech policies.
"With these rights come responsibilities."
