University of Melbourne vows research partnership transparency

Amid mounting pressure from activists, the University of Melbourne vows to enhance transparency regarding research partnerships, while standing firm on academic freedom.

Pro-Palestine protesters announce that they are leaving the Arts West building at Melbourne University. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The University of Melbourne on Thursday afternoon has claimed it is committing to being more transparent surrounding its research to “remove ambiguity”, as Jewish leaders said the pro-Palestine activists should “hang their heads in shame”.

The university’s statement came after the Unimelb For Palestine group announced their plan to end their occupation of the Arts West Building if the university agreed to disclose all research partnerships with weapon manufacturers within one month.

In a statement, the university said it was committing to being more open surrounding its research, but that would have to be within reason.

“Disclosure is subject to confidentiality obligations, national ­security regulations and laws, and the safety and security of our researchers undertaking their academic work,” the statement read.

The activists had initially been calling for not just disclosure, but also for the uni to cease research partnerships with weapons manufacturers, but the university said it would continue to honour “academic freedom”.

Protesters were still camped in the Arts West Building well into Thursday. Picture: David Crosling

“Staff and students of the university are free to engage in scholarly research and collaborative projects with other scholars and organisations, within the parameters of the University of Melbourne’s research ethics and integrity codes, and Australian law,” it said.

“The university supports all our academic staff members and is strongly committed to their academic freedom.

“Our arrangements and joint activities with other universities are subject to regular review and due diligence scrutiny.”

As of Thursday afternoon, the activist group was still awaiting their own personal email from the university before vacating the building and they were yet to comment on the statement that had been released.

It is not known when university staff will actually be able to gain entry to the building to check on its condition with the group still holding the building at 6pm.

Protesters have hung flags and written on the walls of the building. Picture: David Crosling

Four large wheelie bins were seen being taken into the Arts West Building on Thursday morning, the only sign of the activists’ planned move.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Peter Wertheim said the protesters achieved nothing.

“The much-trumpeted ‘victory’ of the protesters at Melbourne University is nothing more than a sham to disguise the fact that they have shut down their camp under threats of expulsion and totally capitulated,” he said. “There is no information the university has agreed to disclose which is not already available from open sources or under Freedom of Information legislation.

“Apart from menacing and harassing students and staff over several weeks, and bringing Australian higher education into disrepute, the protesters have achieved nothing. They should hang their heads in shame.”

Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said the pro-Palestine activists should face the consequences of their week-long occupation.

“We welcome the news that the anti-Israel protesters, who have blocked students from accessing classrooms and made life on campus unsafe for Jewish students, are finally leaving,” Mr Leibler said.

“We believe that any student or staff member that breached university policies should face the consequences of their actions.”

Opposition Education spokeswoman Sarah Henderson expressed concern that the university had rewarded the protesters for their “intimidation and unlawful conduct”.

“This deal … rewards conduct which is fuelling anti-Semitic hate and incitement.”