Just following up where Senator O’Sullivan finished, who made the determination that a safe space was required for Jewish students on campus? Did that come as a recommendation from your security team? Did it come from your welfare team? Where did that come from?
Senator BROCKMAN: Just following up where Senator O’Sullivan finished, who made the determination that a safe space was required for Jewish students on campus? Did that come as a recommendation from your security team? Did it come from your welfare team? Where did that come from?
Prof. Venville : I can clarify that. I think that happened in conversation between our Director of University Experience and the Jewish students themselves. I wish it wasn’t necessary.
Senator BROCKMAN: Was ANU security involved in that discussion? My understanding is they were.
Prof. Venville : Well, you are better informed than me. Not to my knowledge, but we can clarify that.
Senator BROCKMAN: Can you take on notice what role ANU security had?
Prof. Venville : Sure.
Senator BROCKMAN: Can you tell us what other recommendations there were for any other group of students to have a safe space put aside for them on campus?
Prof. Venville : We have safe spaces for other students—for example, some of our LGBTIQ students and breastfeeding students—and we have at different times had safe spaces for other students.
Senator BROCKMAN: So when did you determine that this safe space would be established for students?
Prof. Venville : It was early on in the encampment. I can take that question on notice. I don’t know the exact date.
Senator BROCKMAN: But early on in the encampment.
Prof. Bell : It was earlier, I believe, before the encampment. But we will take that question on notice.
Senator BROCKMAN: It has also been reported to me that there have been student rooms tagged in the halls of residence. Is that true?
Prof. Venville : What do you mean by tagged?
Senator BROCKMAN: Jewish students tagged, marked, identified.
Prof. Venville : Not to my knowledge, but if that is the case and it was reported to us, we would absolutely take action where we could.
Senator BROCKMAN: So that has not been reported to any of the executive team?
Prof. Venville : Not to my knowledge.
Senator BROCKMAN: Okay. Can you please follow up with all the halls of residence to ensure that has not happened?
Prof. Venville : It may have happened within a hall of residence, and if it was addressed quickly it may not have been reported to us, but I’m not aware of it, no.
Senator BROCKMAN: The tagging of a Jewish student’s room would not have been reported to you?
Prof. Bell : It seems unlikely, but we will take that on notice.
Senator BROCKMAN: Okay. Thank you.