Joint Statement on the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion

The following statement can be attributed to Australian National University Chancellor, The Hon Julie Bishop, and Interim Vice-Chancellor & President, Provost & Senior Vice-President, Professor Rebekah Brown: 
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The Australian National University supports the Prime Minister’s announcement to establish a Royal Commission into antisemitism and social cohesion, following the tragic Bondi terror attack in December 2025.

Our thoughts remain with those who were killed and injured, and with their families, friends and loved ones, as well as the Jewish community more broadly.

Together with our university counterparts, we are committed to engaging fully and constructively with the Royal Commission as part of a rigorous and independent process to address antisemitism and strengthen social cohesion across Australia.

We reaffirm our commitment to working closely with the Australian Government and the David Gonski AC–led Taskforce to ensure our campuses are safe, respectful and inclusive places for everyone, regardless of their faith, background or identity. The University will also engage closely with the Group of Eight (Go8), which has established an Expert Oversight and Implementation Committee on Antisemitism to be chaired by Dr Alan Finkel AC.

Antisemitism, racism and vilification are abhorrent and have no place at ANU or in Australian society. At ANU, antisemitism and all forms of racism are rejected in the strongest possible terms.

Our commitment is to provide a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all members of the ANU community, while remaining a university where complex and difficult conversations can occur without fear, hatred or harm.

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