The ANU's handling of a pro-Palestine encampment on its campus has come under scrutiny at a royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion, with the university's acting provost, Professor Joan Leach, denying claims that it "lost control" of the situation. The incident in question took place last April, when students established an encampment to show solidarity with Palestinians amidst the Israel-Gaza conflict and express opposition to the university's ties to weapons manufacturers.
At issue is whether the ANU adequately protected its students during this time. A workplace review conducted in October found that both the direct and residual psychosocial risks associated with the encampment were rated "high", sparking concerns about the well-being of Jewish students, who made up a significant portion of those affected by the protest. Professor Leach acknowledged these worries, pointing to new procedures now in place for managing similar protests, including enhanced communication between security services and university management.
Asked directly whether the ANU had "lost control" during the encampment, Professor Leach countered that characterisation, noting that university security personnel – many of whom are familiar with students and staff – remained actively engaged throughout to monitor activities and offer support. Despite these efforts, multiple attempts by the university to disband the encampment ultimately failed until a disagreement arose over basic amenities, including electricity and lighting.
The ANU's decision not to invest in controversial weapons manufacturers and civilian small arms firms – a key demand of protesters – was announced shortly after the resolution of the dispute. The incident has sparked wider debate about how universities should balance student free speech with concerns for staff and students' safety, particularly when it comes to sensitive issues like Israel-Palestine.
Professor Leach also faced questions regarding the university's investigation into an alleged Nazi salute at a student association meeting in May 2024. The incident drew significant media attention, but Professor Leach explained that an inquiry into an accompanying Hitler moustache gesture concluded it was simply a habit of the individual involved – not a deliberate reference to Nazism. While there is no evidence of a Nazi salute, difficulties were reportedly encountered in discerning the gesture from video footage and testimony.