Making Australia's higher education system safe

Описание: https://linktr.ee/sharonclaydon
Sharon Claydon MP speech from the Hours of Representatives on 25/08/25

I rise to lend my strong support to this landmark piece of legislation introduced by the minister just now on behalf of the Albanese Labor government, one that addresses a critical issue facing our universities and indeed all of Australia, and that is gender based violence. The Albanese Labor government has demonstrated a clear commitment to making Australia's higher education system a safe and more inclusive environment for everyone. The introduction of a national higher education code to prevent and respond to gender based violence is an historic step towards achieving this goal. Many students and staff have said that they don't know where to seek support or how to make a formal complaint to their higher education provider, and those that do are often dissatisfied with the process. For too long students have been let down by their universities and inaction by previous governments, and the introduction of this bill is a sign that perpetrators and higher education institutions are now on notice.

Gender based violence in all its forms has no place in our communities, yet for far too long we have seen it persist in various spheres of society, including in our universities. Gender based violence is an epidemic that impacts students, staff and the broader campus community. It affects individuals' mental health and academic performance and their sense of safety and belonging. We have heard heartbreaking stories of students, many of whom are young women, who have experienced violence, harassment and discrimination while pursuing education. The statistics are alarming, and the effects are far-reaching. One in 20 people have reported being sexually assaulted, with one in six reporting they have been sexually harassed. Even more stories emerged of inadequate responses from our higher education institutions, with students experiencing a lack of any complaints process, a lack of materials on how to begin a complaints process, a lack of feedback when a complaint has been made and a lack of education on consent. As a society we cannot accept this. We must act to ensure that all students can study in an environment that is free from harassment, violence or discrimination.

The Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill 2025 offers a solution, a comprehensive framework to tackle this issue head-on. This bill seeks to establish a national code of conduct for Australian universities, setting clear standards for how universities must prevent and respond to gender based violence. It will require universities to adopt best practice in supporting those who have experienced sexual assault or harassment, investigating allegations and creating a campus culture that prioritises respect, safety and inclusion. Under the bill the national code will require policies, procedures and processes for responding to gender based violence in a trauma informed away and ensure key functions are undertaken by people who have the appropriate skills and expertise. This will help to improve experiences and outcomes for people who disclose their experiences of gender based violence, strengthening the discloser's autonomy to ensure they are heard and appropriately supported. A key feature of the code is its national reach. For the first time universities from across Australia will be bound by a uniform set of expectations and protocols ensuring consistency in how they address gender based violence. This approach will eliminate the patchwork system that currently exists, where responses to gender based violence can vary from one institution to another.

The universities accord bill is comprehensive, addressing the prevention of gender based violence as well as support for those who experience it. The bill mandates that universities provide ongoing education and awareness campaigns aimed at preventing gender based violence. This includes programs that promote respectful relationships, consent education and bystander intervention. These initiatives are essential in changing the culture that allows gender based violence in the first place. This bill establishes clear, accessible reporting mechanisms for students and staff who experience or witness gender based violence. This bill ensures that these reports will be taken seriously and investigated in a timely and transparent manner. Victims will no longer have to navigate a maze of complicated systems to seek justice. The bill mandates that universities provide comprehensive support to survivors of gender based violence. This includes access to counselling services, legal support and accommodation options, ensuring that students are not forced to remain in environments that compromise their safety and wellbeing.