University of Queensland refers two Gaza-Israel protest campus incidents to police

University of Queensland vice-chancellor Deborah Terry revealed the police referrals in a memo to staff on Tuesday saying the university was ‘taking appropriate action’.

Pro-Palestinian protest camp at the University of Queensland (UQ) in Brisbane. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

The University of Queensland has referred two Gaza-Israel protest incidents at the Brisbane campus encampment to police.

A university spokeswoman said police were investigating two incidents.

“We have reported two incidents to Queensland Police who are also helping to verify whether those involved are part of our UQ community,” she said.

“A few incidents from a small number of individuals have gone beyond the limits of what is acceptable.”

The spokeswoman said the police reports did not involve the pro-Palestinian protesters’ decision to fly the flag of an internationally recognised terrorist organisation which had been taken down at the university’s request.

She would not give other details of the incidents.

University of Queensland vice-Chancellor Deborah Terry revealed the police referrals in a memo to staff on Tuesday.

She said the university was “taking appropriate action, including having an inappropriate flag removed, addressing anti-social behaviour and escalating matters, where appropriate, to Queensland Police.”

“Whilst the vast majority of protest activities have been civil, there have been a few incidents from a small number of individuals that are unacceptable,’’ she wrote.

“I want to remind our community that any protest activities must be within the boundaries of free speech as specified in our policies and the law, and cannot prevent staff and students engaging with university activities.

“We are continuing to engage daily with the organisers of the protest camps, and we have increased security on campus to monitor activities and take appropriate action as required.’’

Queensland Police have been contacted for comment.

Pro-Israel protest camp at the University of Queensland in Brisbane. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

UQ insisted that pro-Palestinian protesters camped at the university remove the flag of an internationally recognised terrorist organisations, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, but did not take disciplinary action against any students or staff.

The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), the government regulator of universities, yesterday revealed it had received two complaints about universities failing to keep students safe during protests.

“TEQSA is engaging directly with universities where protest activities are taking place to better understand how these universities are assuring student and staff safety and freedom of speech,’’ a spokesman said.

“Since 7 October 2023, TEQSA has received two complaints related to the conflict in the Middle East.”

TEQSA did not give more details of the complaints, but its outgoing chief commissioner, Professor Peter Coaldrake – who will step down this week – told The Australian that universities have “a very important obligation to protect freedom of speech”.

“They also have a responsibility to provide safe environments for their staff and students and visitors,’’ he said. “The balancing of all those is very complex.’’