University security briefing on foreign agents
Intelligence officials and the Australian Federal Police are briefing universities on the dangers of foreign interference and extremist involvement and how to protect social cohesion.
Intelligence officials and the Australian Federal Police are briefing universities on the dangers of foreign interference and extremist involvement and how to protect social cohesion after months of nationwide campus pro-Palestinian protests and encampments.
The universities have sought a security briefing with a focus on social cohesion as “a priority” after pro-Palestinian protests, anti-Jewish campaigns, the occupation of university buildings, encampments on campus, fears for the safety of Jewish academics and students and some violence in the past two months.
It is understood university officials were warned to bring the encampments and occupations to end because there were security fears that the danger to Jewish students and staff and the chance of violence would increase.
After anti-Israel protests at universities overseas, there were protests and encampments in Australia including Deakin University, Sydney University, Melbourne University, RMIT, Australian National University, Monash University, University of Adelaide, University of Wollongong, Curtin University and the University of Queensland.
The warnings to universities came as federal MPs were advised of Islamist extremist involvement in blockades and demonstrations outside parliamentarians’ offices and at public demonstrations.
Anthony Albanese has been locked out of his Sydney electorate office in inner-west Marrickville, which has been defaced with slogans and accusations of supporting genocide, since January because of a pro-Palestinian protest encampment outside.
The Prime Minister, ministers and MPs were warned of security fears for their staff after extensive damage to their offices.
Mr Albanese told parliament on Wednesday the protests were interfering in the essential work of MPs and undermining the democratic process.
Security officials and the AFP will brief universities on Friday as part of the Universities Foreign Interference Taskforce, established in 2019 to monitor foreign government interference in research.
In February this year, as pro-Palestinian protests spread at universities in the US and Britain, the issue of how to protect “social cohesion” was added to the taskforce’s terms of reference.
The issue of the safety of students from foreign agents became apparent earlier when there were tensions between China and Hong Kong, and students in Australia from Hong Kong were facing sinister online monitoring from mainland students.
The chief executive of Universities Australia, Luke Sheehy, told The Australian the security briefing on Friday would be at a meeting of the taskforce, co-chaired by the Department of Education and Department of Home Affairs.
“We regularly talk with security agencies about foreign interference, security and social cohesion through the Universities Foreign Interference Taskforce. UFIT often meets to discuss and create guidelines on these topics,” Mr Sheehy said.
“The Friday meeting is focusing on social cohesion as a priority,” he said.
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