January 9, 2026
The Group of Eight (Go8), representing Australia's leading research-intensive universities, fully supports the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion and will actively engage, including appearing before the Commission if invited.
Go8 Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said:
"We are living in unprecedented times, and the Albanese Government has made the right decision. Antisemitism has no place in our society. Its rise since 7 October 2023-on campuses and in the community-has been devastating for Australia's Jewish community."
"The policies and procedures we had in place prior to October were clearly not enough. Since then, Go8 universities have introduced new measures to improve the safety and security of Jewish students and staff."
"We acted swiftly, in consultation with Special Envoy Jillian Segal, to develop a working definition of antisemitism-now adopted across the sector-rolled out antisemitism training for executives and frontline staff, and implemented enhanced security measures and protocols."
"But the horrific events of 14 December 2025 leave no doubt that we must do more and leave no stone unturned."
Following the Bondi terrorist attack, the Go8 established an Expert Oversight and Implementation Committee on Antisemitism to lead decisive action to eradicate antisemitism on university campuses.
Chaired by Dr Alan Finkel AC, former Chief Scientist and Chancellor of Monash University, the committee comprises eminent Australians with unparalleled expertise in governance, security, law, and higher education. Its work will also support the Royal Commission and complement the Government's reviews led by Dennis Richardson AC and David Gonski AC.
It will meet for the first time on Tuesday, 13 January.
Members of the Go8 Expert Oversight and Implementation Committee on Antisemitism:
- Dr Alan Finkel AC - Former Chief Scientist and former Chancellor of Monash University
- Dr Annabelle Bennett AC SC - Former Federal Court Judge and former Chancellor of Bond University
- Jeremy Suss - President of the Australasian Union of Jewish Students
- Major General Paul Symon AO (Ret'd) - Former Director-General of ASIS; Co-Chair of the Go8 Defence and Security Committee
- Diane Smith-Gander AO - Chancellor of UWA; experienced corporate and governance leader
- Peter Varghese AO - Former Secretary of DFAT; Chancellor of the University of Queensland
