Commission of Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities Bill 2024: what it would establish

The short answer

Commission of Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities Bill 2024: what it would establish

The Commission of Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities Bill 2024 is a private senator's bill introduced by Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson that would establish a statutory commission of inquiry — with similar powers to a royal commission — to investigate antisemitism at Australian universities. Introduced on 25 June 2024, the bill was debated on 27 June and 3 July 2024, and again on 6 February 2025. It lapsed at the prorogation of Parliament on 21 July 2025 and was restored to the Notice Paper on 2 September 2025. As of July 2026, the bill remains before the Senate. As a private senator's bill, it does not have Government support. It is Before Senate as of 17 July 2026.

This is a federal system guide. State constitutions, parliaments and local-government laws can allocate comparable functions differently.

The useful question is not only “what is the rule?” but also “who administers it, which document controls it, and when might it change?” That distinction prevents an accurate general explanation from becoming wrong advice in a particular election, chamber or policy setting.

Evidence review

What this bill proposes

The bill would establish a Commission of Inquiry into antisemitism at Australian universities. According to the official summary, the commission would have the powers of a royal commission — meaning it could compel witnesses to give evidence, require the production of documents, and make findings and recommendations. The inquiry would be specifically focused on antisemitism in the university sector, examining its nature, extent, and the responses of university administrations.

The bill is structured to create a time-limited, independent inquiry with statutory powers. A commission of this kind differs from a parliamentary committee inquiry in several important ways: it has the power to compel evidence, it operates independently of Parliament (reporting its findings rather than being driven by parliamentary processes), and its commissioners are appointed specifically for the inquiry rather than being drawn from sitting members of Parliament.

Evidence review

Legislative and constitutional basis

The Commonwealth Parliament has the power to establish commissions of inquiry under its general legislative powers. The Royal Commissions Act 1902 provides the template for inquiries with coercive powers, and this bill would create a specific statutory commission drawing on that model. The focus on universities engages the Commonwealth's powers in relation to education funding, as Australian universities receive substantial Commonwealth funding through grants and student loan programs.

A key legal question raised by the bill is the interaction between a Commonwealth commission of inquiry and the autonomy of universities, which are established under state and territory legislation. While Commonwealth inquiries can examine matters within their terms of reference regardless of state jurisdiction, the implementation of recommendations affecting university governance may require cooperation with state governments.

Evidence review

Parliamentary history and debate

The bill was introduced in the Senate on 25 June 2024 by Senator Sarah Henderson, a Liberal senator for Victoria. It was debated in the Senate on 27 June 2024 and again on 3 July 2024, reflecting active parliamentary engagement with the issues it raises. A further debate occurred on 6 February 2025, during the first sitting period of the new parliamentary year.

The bill lapsed on 21 July 2025 when Parliament was prorogued — a routine procedural event that affects all bills before the Parliament. It was restored to the Notice Paper on 2 September 2025 under the Senate's restoration of business procedures. The second reading debate was adjourned, and the bill continues to await further consideration. The multiple debate sessions indicate significant parliamentary interest, though the bill has not yet proceeded to a vote.

Evidence review

Context: antisemitism and university campuses

The bill was introduced in a context of heightened concern about antisemitism on university campuses in Australia and internationally. Parliamentary inquiries, university-commissioned reviews, and media reporting have documented incidents of antisemitic speech and behaviour at Australian universities, particularly in the period following the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023 and the subsequent conflict in Gaza.

Australian universities have responded with a range of measures including reviews of complaints procedures, updated codes of conduct, and commitments to strengthen protections for Jewish students and staff. Some institutions have commissioned independent reviews of their handling of antisemitism complaints. The question of whether a national, statutory commission of inquiry is the appropriate mechanism for addressing these issues — as opposed to university-led or state-based responses — is a central point of debate around the bill.

Evidence review

What happens next

As a private senator's bill, the Commission of Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities Bill faces the same procedural hurdles as other non-Government legislation. It requires time to be allocated for further debate in the Senate, and if passed by the Senate, would then need to pass the House of Representatives. Private senators' bills rarely complete this path without Government support.

The bill's future may depend on several factors: whether the Government decides to support it or introduce its own response; whether the parliamentary debate generates sufficient cross-party momentum; and whether developments on university campuses shift the political calculus. The bill remains on the Senate Notice Paper and could be brought on for further debate at any time that Senate business permits.

Common questions

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