Mark Scott delayed University of Sydney’s crackdown on students self-identifying as Indigenous

Sydney Uni boss Mark Scott intervened to stop stricter rules around people self-identifying as Indigenous, after claims an Aboriginal leader made ‘distressing’ remarks at a yarning event.

Plans for the University of Sydney to crack down on people self-identifying as Indigenous were delayed by Vice-Chancellor Mark Scott, following a controversial on-campus event.

Mr Scott personally paused a proposal banning staff and students from claiming Aboriginal ancestry by way of a statutory declaration, after expressing concern about “distressing” comments made by an Indigenous leader.

The Daily Telegraph has seen a letter from October 2022 Mr Scott wrote to Nathan Moran and Allan Murray, the CEO and Chair of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council (MLALC)

“I understand that you both participated in the Yarning Forum at our Camperdown Campus… to work through the proposed changes to the University’s Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy” Mr Scott wrote.

“I have received multiple reports that consistently indicate comments made by Nathan and others caused significant distress to those in attendance, including our staff and students.”

Sydney University Vice-Chancellor Mark Scott personally paused a crackdown on students self-identifying as Aboriginal. Picture: Nikki Short

He continued: “I do not consider references to ‘blood quanta’, ‘quarter caste’, ‘Johnny come lately’ and ‘non-status person’ considerate nor respectful.

“You alleged that policy revision was necessary because identity fraud is occuring in the University.”

Mr Scott then informed the MLALC he would be “pausing community consultation on this policy revision”.

When asked about the 2022 “Yarning Forum”, Mr Moran said Mr Scott had “cherry-picked” his remarks.

“It isn’t the most impressive use of language, but it is the facts and the reality of how defining Aboriginality has been.”

It’s not suggested Mr Murray made any “distressing’ comments at the forum.

Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Nathan Moran. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The university said the proposal two years ago to require people to produce official documentation from their local land council or Indigenous-run group to prove Aboriginality had not been implemented.

Instead, staff and students had been simply allowed to sign a statutory declaration confirming their First Nations heritage.

This masthead has seen a “stat dec” signed by a student claiming Aboriginality this year. The form was witnessed by a staff member on campus.

Mr Moran has claimed this process is “bogus”, saying when people “are allowed to self-identify, they can easily access funds, programs and initiatives that are meant for genuine Aboriginal people”.

University of Sydney continues to allow students to self-identify as Indigenous with a statutory declaration.

In Australia, there is meant to be a three-part test, verified by an official Indigenous body, for someone to claim Aboriginality.

In 2024, universities received more than $81 million in funding for First Nations students, based on enrolment and graduation.

University of Sydney qualified for $2.3 million under that incentive.

The leading institution has more than 70 Aboriginal scholarships available.

When asked to comment on the saga - federal Education Minister Jason Clare simply said: “My expectation is that services for Indigenous Australians are going to Indigenous Australians.”

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Originally published as Mark Scott delayed University of Sydney’s crackdown on students self-identifying as Indigenous