Queensland university could face parliament over ‘anti-racist’ symposium with ‘Dutton’s Jew’ image

The head of a Queensland University that hosted a symposium ridiculing Jewish Australians as “Dutton’s Jew” has apologised for the “hurt and offence’’ it caused.

The head of a Queensland University that hosted a symposium ridiculing Jewish Australians as “Dutton’s Jew” has apologised for the “hurt and offence’’ it caused.

It came after former federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg slammed an image presented at the event, saying “our university leaders have failed us again”.

“Anti-Semitism has become normalised in Australia as Jews are singled out for ridicule and hate in a way we would not accept for any other minority group,” he said.

The cartoon – which enraged the Jewish community – depicted a Jewish person in a superhero costume with a “DJ” on their chest and a list of attributes saying they hate Muslims, immigrants and are willing to hug the opposition leader for “photo ops”.

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) vice-chancellor Margaret Sheil on Friday issued a written apology over the cartoon.

“I understand why the presentation at this pre-symposium event caused significant offence and I am sorry for the hurt caused to anyone within, and outside, the QUT community,’’ she said.

“I will undertake to review the circumstances of this presentation and take any action necessary.”

The slide featuring the provocative “Dutton’s Jew’ checklist.

Education Minister Jason Clare has been forced to intervene in the growing row over the slate of anti-Israel activists leading the symposium, and a Labor-led parliamentary inquiry on campus anti-Semitism is considering calling QUT leadership to testify publicly. The symposium – which included senator Lidia Thorpe, Macquarie University academic Randa Abdel-Fattah and author Sara Saleh – has enraged the nation’s Jewish community.

Footage shared from the event showed Sarah Schwartz, who leads the controversial left-wing Jewish Council of Australia, speaking about “Dutton’s Jew”, accusing the Opposition Leader Peter Dutton of politicising the Jewish community.

“Dutton’s Jew has helpfully provided the human shield for him to talk about some of his favourite topics,” Ms Schwartz said on stage.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has called the attack on Mr Dutton “divisive rubbish”. “I reckon what I might do is not provide oxygen to people who are trying to wind the clock back a century on anti-Semitism,” he said.

“There’s no place for that in Australia … and I want Queenslanders to know that does not reflect who we are.

Sarah Schwartz. Picture: Supplied

Former Treasurer Josh Frydenberg. Picture: Supplied by Sky News Australia.

Queensland University of Technology is facing huge criticism for a 'Dutton's Jew' symposium.

Originally published as Queensland university could face parliament over ‘anti-racist’ symposium with ‘Dutton’s Jew’ image