Commission of Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities Bill 2024

# Commission of Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities Bill 2024 ## What it does The federal government can appoint a special investigator (called a Commissioner) to examine and report on antisemitism happening at Australian universities. This Commissioner gets the same powers as a Royal Commission, meaning they can compel people to give evidence and hand over documents. ## Why it matters Rising antisemitism on university campuses has become a serious concern, particularly since recent global events. This inquiry aims to understand the scale of the problem and could lead to recommendations for how universities should respond. ## Key details - **Who investigates:** The Minister picks a Commissioner (usually a current or former judge) to run the inquiry - **Their powers:** The Commissioner can hold public hearings, force people to testify, demand documents, and isn't bound by strict legal evidence rules—similar to how Royal Commissions work - **Timeline:** The law starts the day after Parliament approves it, and the inquiry begins once the Commissioner is appointed - **Scope:** The investigation focuses only on Australian universities as defined under higher education law