Universities & Government must heed historic student referendum on Gaza
Universities & Government must heed historic student referendum on Gaza | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Universities & Government must heed historic student referendum on Gaza 2025-09-04 Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Higher Education spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has called on universities to respect the overwhelming mandate of their students and end all partnerships with weapons companies, following the results of a historic national referendum on Palestine.
More than 5,000 students across roughly 20 campuses voted in the first National Union of Students (NUS) referendum in the union’s four-decade history. The grassroots referendum passed two motions almost unanimously: censuring the Australian government for its complicity in the genocide in Gaza, and demanding universities cut ties with weapons manufacturers. In February, Senator Mehreen Faruqi introduced a Bill requiring universities to disclose and divest from any partnerships with dirty industries, including weapons manufacturers, gambling, fossil fuel and tobacco companies.
Lines Attributable to Senator Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Greens and Spokesperson for Tertiary Education: “For the first time in decades, thousands of students have spoken with one voice, demanding that their universities stop profiting from war, militarism and the machinery of genocide. University leadership cannot ignore this. “Students have given their universities a clear, democratic instruction: end the dirty partnerships with the weapons companies profiting from Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
“Universities exist to serve the public interest. They shouldn’t be getting into bed with arms companies and helping to sanitize their reputations. “History will not be kind to those who ignored this moment — University Vice-Chancellors must cut the bloody ties now or forever wear the shame.
“Students across the country have issued a historic censure of the Albanese Government for its complicity in the genocide in Gaza. This is a wake-up call from the next generation, and the message is clear: sanction Israel, stop the two-way arms trade, and end the complicity. “When thousands of students, in the first national referendum of its kind, vote almost unanimously to condemn the Government’s role in war crimes, it cannot be ignored.
“In light of this historic result, the Albanese government must back the Greens’ bill forcing universities to be transparent and cut ties with dirty industries—whether weapons, fossil fuels, or gambling—so our institutions serve the public good, not corporate profiteers.” MEDIA CONTACT FARUQI: Lauren Skinner – 0474 437 111 Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
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