Melbourne University students face expulsion over Gaza protest
Two University of Melbourne students face expulsion and another two could be suspended over last year's on-campus protests against Israel's war on Gaza.
Student groups have reacted with anger after a committee recommended the disciplinary action last week over a sit-in at an academic's office at the university's main campus in Parkville in October. University of Melbourne vice chancellor Emma Johnston will make the final decision.
The University of Melbourne Students' Union said the disciplinary process was 'opaque' and the committee was a 'kangaroo court'.
The Australian National University's expulsion of student Beatrice Tucker last year – after she expressed support for Hamas on ABC radio – was overturned on appeal.
The University of Melbourne did not follow through on its threats to expel or suspend up to 20 students who helped occupy a campus building in May last year.
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If Johnston – in her first year in the position – proceeds with the expulsions, the student activists will have 30 days to appeal.
Student union president Bella Beiraghi said expelling the pair would set a precedent as the first students kicked out of an Australian tertiary institution for protesting against the war. The decision would also have serious implications for free speech across the nation's campuses.
'It does set a precedent, for them to expel and suspend pro-Palestine activists on campus, and one that I think other university administrations would emboldened by,' Beiraghi said.
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Sky News AU
44 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
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