Two students at the University of Melbourne have been recommended for expulsion and two for suspension following their involvement in a pro-Palestine demonstration on the Parkville campus in October 2023. If upheld, these would be the first such penalties enforced against pro-Palestine student activists in Australia since the start of student protests against Israel's military campaign in Gaza.
The students are expected to appeal the decisions. One student, speaking anonymously, told Guardian Australia she believed the outcome had been 'prejudged' by the university, which has introduced anti-protest rules criticised as 'repressive' and 'authoritarian' overreach.
The disciplinary referrals stem from an incident on 9 October, when about 20 protesters occupied the office of an academic perceived to be involved in the university's partnerships with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The occupation lasted approximately 90 minutes. Footage showed protesters with covered faces, and the university alleged harassment, intimidation, and property damage, including stickers placed on a monitor and a personal photo.
One student facing expulsion, referred to as Niamh, was present for no more than 10 minutes and was not found to have performed specific harassing actions. However, the disciplinary committee ruled that her presence constituted harassment and unsafe use of property. Niamh believes her past involvement in another protest, the 'Mahmoud’s Hall' occupation, influenced the decision. The university reportedly tracked her location via wifi login, a method under investigation by the Victorian information commissioner.
The university has implemented new protest rules under former vice-chancellor Duncan Maskell and current vice-chancellor Emma Johnston, banning non-peaceful protests and indoor demonstrations. The student union and the National Tertiary Education Union have condemned the rules as an 'authoritarian' response to student activism.
