University heads grilled over anti-Semitism inaction

University heads have faced a grilling over anti-Semitism, accused of not doing enough to protect students on campus.

Macquarie University vice-chancellor Bruce Dowton defended the need to balance freedom of expression and academic freedom with a clear stance against anti-Semitism.

Labor MP Josh Burns, who is Jewish, questioned Professor Dowton on what action was taken against an academic who had publicly stated Zionists had "no claim or right to cultural safety".

He accused the university of "protecting the staff member and not your students".

"You cite discrimination, bullying, victimisation ... you cite diversity, inclusion - I just can't see how the statements of one of your staff members adhere to this," he told an inquiry into anti-Semitism at universities on Wednesday.

"And I can't see how the university hasn't already taken action on this."

The discussion wasn't about the merits of one academic argument over another, instead, "we're talking about a university professor who works for you saying that there should be no safe spaces for a particular group of people", Mr Burns said.

Prof Dowton said he didn't agree with any of the "very disturbing" comments.

"Balancing a safe, respectful community with the rights of academic freedom is a complex challenge," he said.

"As an individual ... I do not support the statements that have been made, I find them to be offensive and I can certainly understand how they, of course, harm the communities that they may have been directed towards."

He confirmed no action had been taken against any staff member.

Queensland University of Technology vice-chancellor Margaret Sheil was also grilled on the actions her institution had taken amid fears Jewish students felt unsafe.

Questions addressed a controversial anti-racism symposium where Jewish Council of Australia executive director Sarah Schwartz criticised Opposition Leader Peter Dutton for only accepting conservative Jewish voices.

A slide with the title "Dutton's Jew" was shown to highlight his "conception of Jewish people, not actual Jewish people", the Jewish Council said in a post-event media release following some backlash from pro-Israel groups.

Professor Sheil apologised for the harm and hurt people felt as a result of the images and comments.

"I am saddened and disappointed that these events overshadowed an important academic symposium on a very serious issue, especially as it relates to the experience of racism of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people," she said.

An independent inquiry has been set up, Prof Sheil said, adding she had told the investigator to alert her to any matters that required immediate action, such as if people felt unsafe.

It comes as the parliament debates strengthening hate speech laws amid rising anti-Semitism attacks, including the arson of a synagogue.

On Wednesday, two men were charged in Western Australia following an investigation into a spate of anti-Semitic graffiti spray painted across Perth over the weekend.

An impassioned Barnaby Joyce called for strong action to stamp out anti-Semitism, pointing to Nazi Germany and imperial Japan as examples of what happens when "a certain group of people determine that another group of people are merely animals".

"Out of the tip of filth, the fire is in the grass, and ... we've all got a job to put this fire out and this bill is a part of that," the Nationals MP said.

Labor is set to add amendments to its bill at the end of the debate and it's expected to pass parliament with wide support.

The opposition is pushing to add mandatory minimum prison sentences for terror offences but it doesn't appear to have Labor's support to get it over the line.

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